Luis Moreno Fontanez

Luis Moreno Fontanez (31 May 1883 – 8 October 1961) was a Chilean miner, agriculturalist, politician and public official.

A member and organizer of the Confederation of Civic Action Republican Parties (CRAC), he served as a deputy for the Seventh Departamental Grouping of Santiago during the 1930–1934 legislative period and later as Intendant of Atacama Region.

Biography Moreno was born in Caldera on 31 May 1883, the son of Emilio Moreno Riesco and Carmela Fontanez. He studied at the lyceums of Temuco and Santiago.

He initially dedicated himself to agricultural activities in the Malleco region until 1924 and later became involved in mining in northern Chile. He owned the Astilles mine in the Atacama region and played an active role in the organization of mining associations.

Moreno founded the Association for Mining Development of the Huasco Valley and served as its president. He also organized the first Mining Convention held in Vallenar and presided over it. In 1937 he served as vice president of the Mining Congress of Copiapó.

He was also national councillor and director of the Sociedad Nacional de Minería (SONAMI), director of the Red Cross of Vallenar, and member and president for a period of the Rotary Club.

Political career Moreno began his political career in local government, serving as municipal councillor (regidor) of Victoria between 1915 and 1924, and later as councillor of Vallenar in 1934.

Between 1928 and 31 December 1929 he served as Secretary of the Presidency during the government of Carlos Ibáñez del Campo, focusing particularly on social and labour matters. During this period he organized the Casa del Pueblo, which was delivered to workers' organizations.

Moreno was one of the organizers of the Confederation of Civic Action Republican Parties (CRAC) and served as its president in 1930.

In the 1930 parliamentary elections he was elected deputy for the Seventh Departamental Grouping of Santiago for the 1930–1934 legislative period.

During his tenure he served on the Permanent Commissions on Interior Government and on Labour and Social Welfare, the latter of which he presided over. He was also a member of the Mixed Commission for the Study of the Interior Administration Code.

The 1932 Chilean coup d'état led to the dissolution of the National Congress on 6 June of that year.

Later public service He was appointed Intendant of Atacama Region on 3 November 1952, serving until 24 February 1955, when he resigned.

Moreno died on 8 October 1961.