Sebastian Piñera, the ex-president of Chile from the conservative camp, passed away due to a helicopter accident on February 6. His demise elicited condolences from political figures throughout Latin America. Piñera served two terms, not in succession, and was recognized for his business acumen and considerable wealth. He played a notable part in bringing about the end of Augusto Pinochet’s authoritarian regime.
Chilean officials reported that the 74-year-old conservative figure was piloting the helicopter with three other individuals when it crashed into a lake in the southern part of the country. Piñera was declared deceased upon the arrival of rescue teams, while the other passengers sustained minor injuries and survived the incident.
After his passing, Chilean President Gabriel Boric conveyed his sympathies to Piñera’s family and announced a three-day period of national mourning in a public address. During a press briefing, Chilean Interior Minister Carolina Toha disclosed that authorities had retrieved the former president’s body from Lake Ranco. Toha also remarked on Piñera’s legacy as a political figure, noting his lifelong commitment to public service, which would be enduringly remembered in Chile.
Piñera gained international recognition primarily for his pivotal involvement in the 2010 rescue of 33 miners who were trapped beneath Chile’s Atacama Desert. The incident garnered widespread attention, to the extent that Hollywood produced a film in 2014 titled “The 33” to depict the entire event.
Piñera’s initial tenure was lauded for its success in bolstering the nation’s economy, but his second term was overshadowed by widespread protests that sparked a political upheaval. His final presidency concluded with the conservative leader pledging to initiate the drafting of a new national constitution, a proposal that was ultimately rejected by a majority of Chileans under the present administration.
Following his departure from the Chilean presidency, Piñera continued his political engagement by vocalizing opposition to the perceived threat of socialism and supporting conservative politicians across Latin America.
