Juan Bautista Argandoña Cortés

Juan Bautista Segundo Argandoña Cortés (8 October 1919 – 1 January 2006) was a Chilean accountant and politician.

Originally a member of the National Falange and later of the Christian Democratic Party, he served three consecutive terms as Deputy for the 2nd Departamental Group during the XLIV (1961–1965), XLV (1965–1969), and XLVI (1969–1973) legislative periods.

Early life Born in Antofagasta in 1919, Argandoña studied at the Liceo de Hombres and at the local commercial institute. He worked as an employee of the Chile Exploration Company in Chuquicamata in the accounting department between 1938 and 1958.

Political career Argandoña joined the National Falange in 1938, serving as provincial secretary and provincial director of the party’s labor department. He was also a union leader for private-sector employees (1945–1954) and one of the founders of the Copper Workers’ Confederation (1956).

He was elected councilor (regidor) of Calama (1956–1958) and then served as its mayor (1958–1961). He joined the Christian Democratic Party in 1957 and became a national vice president in 1962.

In the 1961, 1965, and 1969 elections he was elected Deputy for the 2nd Departamental Group (Antofagasta, Taltal and Tocopilla). He served on the Permanent Commissions of Labor and Social Legislation (1961–1965), Mining and Industries (1965–1969), and Finance (1969–1973).