Rolando Merino Reyes

Rolando Merino Reyes (3 April 1898 – 1957) was a Chilean lawyer, academic and politician. He served as Minister of the Interior from 6 to 13 June 1932 during the first Government Junta of the Socialist Republic of Chile, and subsequently as a member of the second Socialist Government Junta between 13 and 16 June 1932.

He was dean of the Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences at the University of Concepción from 1943 to 1956. Merino is remembered for the phrase: «The University is always open to the four cardinal points of culture and spirit, and closed only to those who refuse to fulfill their duties or advocate obstinate dogmatism».

Biography Merino was a professor of law at the Liceo de Concepción and later taught Introduction to the Study of Law at the School of Legal and Social Sciences of the University of Concepción. He served as Dean of the Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences from 1943 to 1956.

Political career He was a member of Nueva Acción Pública (NAP) and later of the Socialist Party of Chile.

Merino held various administrative and legal positions, including secretary of the Housing Court, legal adviser to the Concepción Charity Board, member of the Agricultural Society of the South, prosecutor of the Colonization Fund, and director of the Saltpeter and Iodine Sales Corporation. He also engaged in agricultural activities at the "El Peral" estate in Concepción. During this period, he also served concurrently as acting Minister of Health, Welfare and Social Assistance (10 October – 14 December 1941) and as interim Minister of Development (16 December 1941 – 2 April 1942).