Osvaldo Basso

Osvaldo Basso Carvajal (2 September 1908 – 2002) was a Chilean merchant, farmer, and politician. Originally a member of the Radical Party of Chile, he later joined the Radical Left Party (1971–1973). He served as Deputy for the 16th Departamental Group (Chillán, Bulnes and Yungay) in three consecutive terms between 1961 and 1973.

Early life Basso was born in Mulchén on 2 September 1908. He married Lidia Zúñiga Godoy; they had two children together, and he also raised another daughter with his partner.

Political career Within the Radical Party, Basso held several responsibilities: president of the Radical Youth of Ñuble; president and secretary of the Chillán Radical Assembly; secretary of the Provincial Board; twice provincial president; and party delegate to national conventions (1939). He also served as general coordinator of Juan Antonio Ríos’s 1942 presidential campaign.

He was a counselor of the Corporación de Reconstrucción y Auxilio in 1947 under President Ríos. In the 1961 elections, he was elected Deputy for the 16th Departamental Group (Chillán, Bulnes and Yungay) for the 1961–1965 term, serving on the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Legislation; he was an alternate on Economy and Commerce and sat on special committees concerning the CUT (1961).

Reelected in 1965 (1965–1969), he served on National Defense and on special investigative committees (Plan Camelot, 1965; Economic Development of Chiloé, Aysén and Magallanes, 1965–1967). In 1969 he was again elected for 1969–1973, presiding over the Standing Committee on Public Works and Transport. In 1970 he headed Salvador Allende’s presidential campaign in the Province of Chillán.

On 3 August 1971, he resigned from the Radical Party and joined the Radical Left Party, serving as its vice-president through 1973.