The former president of chili, Sebastian Pineradied this Tuesday in a helicopter accident in Lago Ranco, a resort area 920 km south of Santiago, his office reported.
“It is with great regret that we announce the death of the former President of the Republic of Chile, Sebastian Piñera Echeñique, at the age of 74.” The former President died after his helicopter crashed while traveling with three other survivors.
Piñera, twice president (2010-2014 and 2018-2022), was the first right-wing president to come to power through popular elections after the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990).
The government of left-wing President Gabriel Boric, who succeeded Piñera in power since March 2022, deeply regretted this death.
“He will receive all the Republican honors and recognition he deserves. President Boric has ordered that a state funeral be held and national mourning be declared,” Interior Minister Carolina Tohá said from the Palacio de la Moneda in Santiago.
Piñera, who earned a doctorate in economics from the prestigious American University of Harvard, was a shrewd businessman who amassed a fortune in banking and companies in various industries.
Enthusiastic and always active, he turned 74 on December 1 and was known for piloting his own helicopter.
According to friends who were in Lago Ranco, the former president spent a few days on vacation with his wife Cecilia Morel and some of his four children and nine grandchildren.
SPRING: AFP