Former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera Dies in Helicopter Crash
Posted by admin on 2024-02-07 |
Former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera tragically
passed away in a helicopter crash on Tuesday, plunging the nation he led for
two terms into mourning and eliciting condolences from leaders across Latin
America. The helicopter, carrying the 74-year-old Pinera and three others,
crashed into a lake in southern Chile. While Pinera was pronounced dead shortly
after rescue personnel arrived, the other three passengers survived.
Sources
indicated that Pinera may have been piloting the helicopter, although officials
have not confirmed this detail or the intended destination of the flight.
Pinera, who often spent summers in Chile's picturesque southern lakes region,
was known for frequently piloting his own helicopter.
President
Gabriel Boric declared three days of national mourning, with preparations
underway for a state funeral on Friday for the former leader, who served two
non-consecutive terms between 2010 and 2022. Interior Minister Carolina Toha
confirmed that Pinera's body had been recovered from the lake near Lago Ranco,
expressing remembrance for his dedication to public service.
Internationally,
Pinera was recognized for overseeing the successful rescue of 33 miners trapped
in the Atacama desert in 2010, a story that captivated global media. In Chile,
he was seen as a successful businessman-turned-politician, although his
presidency faced challenges, including student protests for education reform in
his first term and broader demonstrations against inequality in his second.
After
leaving office, Pinera remained politically active, advocating for issues like
constitutional reform and supporting conservative politicians in the region.
Former Argentine President Mauricio Macri mourned Pinera's passing, praising
his commitment to Chile and democratic values in Latin America.
Born
into a prominent political family, Pinera was a Harvard-educated economist who
amassed his wealth by introducing credit cards to Chile in the 1980s. As of
2024, he ranked 1,176 on Forbes' global rich list, with a net worth of $2.7
billion. Described as driven and competitive, Pinera's personality sometimes
veered toward being domineering, with a tendency to avoid delegating
responsibilities, according to a friend.
