Juan Andrés De La Maza Larraín

Juan Andrés De la Maza Larraín (born 10 February 1964) is a retired Chilean naval officer who served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Navy from 2021 to 2025.

Over more than four decades of service, de la Maza held a wide range of operational, administrative, and strategic positions. He is noted for his emphasis on maritime security, naval modernization, personnel development, and regional defense cooperation.

His tenure as Commander-in-Chief was marked by institutional reform, digital transformation, and a reinforced role for the Navy in civil protection and national sovereignty. He played a significant part in modernizing Chile's naval capabilities while maintaining strong relations with international allies.

De la Maza's leadership has been characterized by a focus on internal cohesion, technological adaptation, and strategic foresight. Analysts and politicians have credited him with maintaining operational readiness while navigating a complex social and political environment. His efforts to foster civil-military trust and to modernize the Navy's professional culture were seen as key elements of his administration.

Early life and education Juan Andrés de la Maza was born in Chile in 1960. He entered the Arturo Prat Naval Academy (Escuela Naval Arturo Prat) in the late 1970s and graduated in 1980 as a midshipman. During his military career, he completed a variety of professional development programs in Chile and abroad.

He graduated from the Chilean Navy War College and pursued advanced studies in naval operations, defense management, and strategic planning. He also participated in international defense and security programs, particularly in the United States and other partner nations.

Naval career He is a specialist in Artillery and Missiles and General Staff. He holds a professional degree in Weapons Engineering, with a specialization in Artillery and Missiles, as well as a Diploma in Senior Management and a Master’s degree in Naval and Maritime Sciences. He is a graduate of the Chilean Naval War College (Academia de Guerra Naval de Chile) and the Argentine Naval War College (Escuela de Guerra Naval Argentina). In addition, he holds the academic title of Military Professor of Academy in the subject of Logistics.

He served as commanding officer of the general service launch “Quidora”, the fleet tug “Galvarino”, the transport ship “Aquiles”, and the training ship Esmeralda.

In 2019, he was appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the First Naval Zone, General Commander of the Valparaíso Naval Garrison, and Naval Judge of the First Naval Zone.

He was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Navy by President Sebastián Piñera, formally assuming the position with the rank of admiral on 18 June 2021.

Commander-in-Chief of the Navy (2021–2025) After being appointed, he succeeded Admiral Julio Leiva Molina. His term began during a transitional political period in Chile, marked by a new constitutional process and evolving public expectations of the armed forces. Against this backdrop, de la Maza emphasized modernization, transparency, and the reaffirmation of the Navy's institutional role within democratic society.

As Commander-in-Chief, de la Maza launched a strategic agenda focused on updating the Navy's fleet capabilities and operational doctrine. He promoted programs for the acquisition and maintenance of critical naval assets, seeking to ensure technological continuity and maritime deterrence. He also championed internal reforms that strengthened professional education, leadership development, and ethical standards among personnel.

De la Maza played a central role in coordinating the Navy's participation in national disaster response, including the deployment of resources for public health emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic, flood assistance and containment in 2024 Chile wildfires. He also reaffirmed Chile's maritime presence through sovereignty patrols in southern territories and increased cooperation with foreign navies, including joint exercises and port visits with partners such as the United States, Argentina, and Brazil.

He concluded his term in June 2025 upon reaching the statutory retirement age. His departure was marked by a formal ceremony that recognized his contributions to institutional modernization and Chilean maritime defense.