Nicanor Díaz Estrada
Nicanor Díaz Estrada | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Labor | |
| In office 11 July 1974 – 8 March 1976 | |
| President | Augusto Pinochet |
| Preceded by | Mario Mac-Kay |
| Succeeded by | Sergio Fernández Fernández |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1921 |
| Died | 2003 (aged 81–82) |
| Spouse | Berta von der Fecht |
| Children | 3 (Carmen, Mónica, Patricia) |
| Profession | Aviator, Military officer, Politician |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Chilean Air Force |
| Rank | Air Brigadier General |
Nicanor Díaz Estrada (1921–2003) was a Chilean aviator and military officer who reached the rank of air brigadier general in the Chilean Air Force. He served as Minister of Labor and Social Welfare during the military government led by General Augusto Pinochet between 1974 and 1976.[1]
Early life and family
Díaz Estrada was born in Talca in 1921 to Nicanor Díaz Antuña and Encarnación Estrada Estrada, the latter an immigrant from Asturias, Spain.[2]
He married Berta Emilia von der Fecht Poblete, of German-Chilean descent, with whom he had three daughters: Carmen, Mónica and Patricia.[2]
Military career
Between 1971 and 1972, Díaz Estrada served as director of the Air War Academy (Academia de Guerra Aérea).[3]
On the morning of the 11 September 1973 coup d’état, he was stationed at the Ministry of National Defense, from where he ordered the arrest of the incumbent minister, Orlando Letelier.[3] Later that day, Air Force General Alberto Bachelet was also detained in the same building.
Following the success of the coup, Díaz Estrada was appointed deputy chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Estado Mayor Conjunto).[3]
Role in the military government
During the first cabinet reshuffle made by the Military Junta on 11 July 1974, he was appointed Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, serving until 8 March 1976.[1] His tenure included early efforts to open communication channels with trade union leaders.
He subsequently served as head of the Air Force Personnel Directorate.[4]
In 1977 he returned to a government role as chief of the National Defense General Staff, participating in strategic preparations related to the Beagle conflict. He retired from the Air Force on 24 July 1978, reportedly dissatisfied with the removal of General Gustavo Leigh from the junta.[4]
From then on, Díaz Estrada adopted an increasingly critical stance toward the Pinochet regime and ultimately voted for the “No” option in the 1988 Chilean national plebiscite.[4]
He died in June 2003.[4]
References
- ^ a b Valencia Avaria, Luis (1986). Anales de la República: registros de los ciudadanos que han integrado los Poderes Ejecutivo y Legislativo. Editorial Andrés Bello.
- ^ a b de Ramón Folch, Armando (1999). Biografías de Chilenos: Miembros de los Poderes Ejecutivos, Legislativo y Judicial. Vol. Tomo III. Ediciones Universidad Católica de Chile.
- ^ a b c Memoria Viva (19 July 2021). "Díaz Estrada Nicanor". Retrieved 2 September 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Díaz Estrada, Nicanor". Archivo de Fondos y Colecciones. Archivo Museo de la Memoria. Retrieved 2 September 2022.