Sebastián Piñera, a former president of Chile who helped strengthen the nation's fledgling democracy after changing into its first conservative chief because the navy dictatorship, died Tuesday in a helicopter crash in Chile, the federal government mentioned. He was 74 years outdated.
The helicopter, which was carrying 4 individuals, crashed into Lake Ranco within the Los Ríos area of southern Chile on Tuesday, Carolina Tohá, Chile's inside minister, mentioned in a televised handle. Three individuals survived and swam to shore, Ms. Tohá mentioned, however Mr. Piñera died and the Chilean Navy had recovered his physique. It isn’t clear who was piloting the airplane, however Mr. Piñera was recognized to fly his personal helicopter.
Mr. Piñera was a billionaire businessman and investor who served two phrases as president of Chile, from 2010 to 2014 and once more from 2018 to 2022.
A conservative, Mr. Piñera initiated pro-business insurance policies that assist enhance progress and make the nation of 19 million, in his phrases, “an actual oasis” in Latin America.
However he additionally confronted large protests from residents who mentioned his authorities was ignoring the poor — Chile is without doubt one of the most economically unequal nations on the earth — and left workplace twice with low approval rankings.
Maybe his most vital legacy was serving to Chile's conservative motion win energy for the primary time because the finish of the brutal Chilean navy dictatorship below Basic Augusto Pinochet in 1990.
After 20 years of leftist rule following the dictatorship, his first election in 2010 confirmed that Chilean democracy was sturdy and wholesome, mentioned Robert Funk, a political science professor on the College of Chile.
“He did this mainly by himself,” Mr. Funk mentioned. “He pushed the events on the proper to take part and settle for the principles of the sport at a time once they weren’t so satisfied.”
Mr. Piñera made his fortune as a financial institution government and investor in airways, tv and soccer golf equipment; he additionally efficiently launched bank cards in Chile throughout the dictatorship.
It is a growing story.
John Bartlett Contributed report from Valdivia, Chile.
