Rolando Rivas

Rolando Rivas Fernández (15 October 1897 – 10 May 1967) was a Chilean politician, journalist, and accountant affiliated with the Radical Party. He served as Deputy of the Republic for the 6th Departmental Grouping – Valparaíso and Quillota – across four consecutive legislative periods between 1949 and 1965.

Biography Born in Santiago on 15 October 1897, Rivas was the son of Juan Francisco Rivas and Josefina Fernández. He married Herminia Romero, with whom he had three daughters.

He studied at the Instituto Nacional, the School of Arts and Crafts, and later the Higher Institute of Commerce, where he qualified as an Accountant.

Rivas worked for eleven years in the Chilean Customs Service before pursuing a career in journalism. He joined the daily El Mercurio de Valparaíso, where he held several editorial and administrative positions, eventually becoming Deputy Manager in 1957. He retired in 1960.

Political career A member of the Radical Party, Rivas served as councilman of Valparaíso for two terms and later as mayor from 1945 to 1946. He was elected Deputy for the 6th Departmental Grouping “Valparaíso and Quillota” for four consecutive terms (1949–1953, 1953–1957, 1957–1961, and 1961–1965). During his parliamentary career he served on various standing committees, including National Defense, Public Education, and Health and Social Assistance.

Later life Rivas was an active figure in the social life of Valparaíso. He was a member of the Círculo de la Prensa and the Club de Valparaíso, as well as an honorary member of the Eighth Fire Company of Valparaíso. In total, he was honorary member of more than forty civic and charitable institutions in the city.

He died in Valparaíso on 10 May 1967.