Pedro Poblete Vera

Pedro Poblete Vera (13 March 1904 – 19 February 1966) was a Chilean teacher and socialist politician.

He served as Minister of Lands and Colonization under President Juan Antonio Ríos in 1942, and as Deputy of the Republic for the 16th Departmental Grouping (Chillán, Bulnes and Yungay) between 1953 and 1961.

Biography Poblete was born in Quirihue on 13 March 1904, the son of Pedro Poblete and Domitila Vera.

He studied at the Escuela Superior No. 1 of Quirihue, the Normal School of Chillán, and the Normal School of Victoria.

He married Dulcelina Vásquez Irribarra in Talcahuano on 3 June 1929, with whom he had two sons, Pedro Waldo and Mario Raúl.

Professional career Poblete began his career as a primary school teacher and educational administrator. From 1925 to 1933 he worked at School No. 7 in Concepción, and later became teacher and director of the Industrial School of Chillán, positions he held until 1953.

He also served as councillor of the Corporación de Reconstrucción y Auxilio and presided over the Society of Industrial and Agricultural Development of Ñuble.

In addition, he was an active member of several social and cultural organizations, including the League of Poor Students, the Boy Scouts Brigade, the Chilean Air Club, the Society of Artisans, the Rotary Club, the sports club *Ñublense*, the Chillán Fire Department, and the Chilean Teachers’ Union — from which he was dismissed and banned for six years due to political persecution.

Political career A member and leader of the Socialist Party of Chile, Poblete held several important public offices. During the administration of Pedro Aguirre Cerda, he was appointed Intendant of the Province of Ñuble on 24 December 1938, serving until 31 January 1941.

He played a prominent role in reconstruction efforts following the 1939 Chillán earthquake.

He later served as Minister of Lands and Colonization from 2 April to 21 October 1942 under President Juan Antonio Ríos.

In the 1953 parliamentary elections, Poblete was elected Deputy for the 16th Departmental Grouping (Chillán, Bulnes and Yungay) for the period 1953–1957, and was re-elected in 1957 for 1957–1961. During his first term he served on the Permanent Commission of Public Education, and in his second on the Commission of Finance.

Death He died in Santiago on 19 February 1966 at the age of 61.