Manuel Merino Esquivel

Manuel Merino Esquivel (9 January 1887 – 24 February 1980) was a Chilean lawyer and politician of the Liberal Party who served as a deputy and later as Minister of Agriculture.

Biography He was born on 9 January 1887 in San Fernando, Chile to Manuel Merino Rencoret and María Luisa Esquivel Mozó. He married Berta Zuloaga and they had five children. He studied at the Liceo de San Fernando, the Internado Nacional Barros Arana and later law at the University of Chile, being admitted as a lawyer on 7 June 1910 with the thesis Reseña de la formación y establecimiento del código civil chileno.

He pursued further studies in civil law, political economy and international law in Europe and later practiced law in Santiago. He also engaged in agricultural and commercial activities, managing the estate Taulemu in San Fernando and participating in agrarian and industrial enterprises. He held positions in agricultural and financial institutions and was active in civic organizations.

Political career A member of the Liberal Party, he was elected deputy for Valparaíso and Casablanca for the 1924–1927 term and later reelected for the 1926–1930 period for the 6th Departamental Circumscription (Valparaíso, Quillota, Limache and Casablanca). During his service he participated in the Permanent Commissions of Social Legislation, War and Navy, and as substitute member of the Commission of Interior Government.

He was appointed Minister of Agriculture from 3 October to 24 December 1932, initiating organizational measures in agricultural services. He later held executive and advisory positions in agrarian and financial institutions and represented Chile at the London Trade Conference in 1946.