Miguel Otero Lathrop
Miguel Otero | |
|---|---|
Otero in 2010 | |
| Ambassador of Chile to Argentina | |
| In office 20 April 2010 – 8 June 2010 | |
| Appointed by | Sebastian Piñera |
| Preceded by | Luis Maira |
| Succeeded by | Adolfo Zaldívar |
| Member of the Senate of Chile | |
| In office 10 April 1991 – 11 March 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Jaime Guzmán |
| Succeeded by | Jovino Novoa |
| Constituency | 7th Circumscription (Santiago Poniente) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 July 1930 Punta Arenas, Chile |
| Died | 1 March 2025 (aged 94) Santiago, Chile |
| Political party | Liberal Party (1955–1966) National Party (1966–1973) National Renewal (1987–2025) |
| Spouse | Patricia Alvarado |
| Children | Four |
| Parent(s) | Jorge Otero María Lathrop |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Jorge Miguel Otero Lathrop (9 July 1930 – 1 March 2025) was a Chilean politician and diplomat who served as senator and ambassador.[1][2][3][4]
During the 1990s, he served as a senator for seven years. Later, during the first government of Sebastián Piñera, he briefly held the position of Chilean ambassador to Argentina.
Early life and education
Otero was born to José Antonio Otero Bañados, a lawyer, and María Lathrop Zavala. He studied at Saint George's College, Santiago and later enrolled in the Military School of Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, where he reached the rank of infantry officer in 1947.
He later abandoned his military career to study Law at the University of Chile, where he graduated in 1955. His thesis was titled De los Tribunales, del Ministerio Público y de la Defensoría General de Carabineros.
In 1956, he traveled to the United States with a scholarship from the Law Institute of the Americas to study at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. In 1957, he obtained a Master in Comparative law, graduating Cum laude.
Political career
Early political involvement
Otero's political involvement began during his university years, where he served as Vice President of the Law Student Center, faculty delegate to the University of Chile Student Federation, and National University Councilor.
He was a member of the Liberal Party, and after its dissolution in 1966, he joined the National Party.
After the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, he distanced himself from active politics, only returning in the late 1980s, when he joined National Renewal. He later became Vice President of the party (1988–1992).
Senator and ambassador
In the 1989 parliamentary elections, Otero ran for a Senate seat in Santiago Metropolitan Region (District 7) but was unsuccessful. However, following the assassination of Jaime Guzmán, he was appointed his replacement in April 1991.
In 2010, he was appointed Chilean ambassador to Argentina by President Sebastián Piñera.[5][6] However, his tenure lasted only 50 days due to controversy over an interview with the Argentine newspaper Clarín, in which he justified the 1973 coup that overthrew socialist president Salvador Allende. The backlash led to his resignation.[7]
Academic and professional career
Since 1961, Otero was a professor of procedural law at the University of Chile, where he became a full professor in 2000. He also taught at the Police Science Academy from 1986 onward.
Personal life
Otero was married to Patricia Alvarado Moore, with whom he had four children.
Death
Otero died at the age of 94[8] in Santiago, Chile.
Electoral history
1989 Parliamentary Elections – Santiago Poniente (District 7)
| Candidate[9] | Coalition | Party | Votes | % | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrés Zaldívar Larraín | Concertación por la Democracia | PDC | 408,227 | 31.27% | Elected Senator |
| Ricardo Lagos Escobar | Concertación por la Democracia | PPD | 399,721 | 30.62% | Not elected |
| Jaime Guzmán Errázuriz | Democracia y Progreso | UDI | 224,396 | 17.19% | Elected Senator |
| Miguel Otero Lathrop | Democracia y Progreso | RN | 199,856 | 15.31% | Not elected |
| Sergio Santander Sepúlveda | Liberal-Socialista Chileno | ILE | 59,834 | 4.58% | Not elected |
| Rodrigo Miranda | Liberal-Socialista Chileno | ILE | 13,435 | 1.03% | Not elected |
References
- ^ "Miguel Otero renuncia a la embajada en Argentina" (in Spanish). Diario Financiero. 8 June 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Ex embajador Otero: "Renuncié porque me di cuenta de que se había logrado crear una situación dificilísima para el Gobierno"". El Mostrador. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Opinión: Si el ex senador Otero es de los que forma a los nuevos militantes, no es de extrañar que los viejos estén arrancando". Radio Duna. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Piden la cabeza de un embajador en Chile por hacer apología de Pinochet". El Mundo. 7 June 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
- ^ "Gobierno argentino da su aprobación a Miguel Otero como embajador de Chile | POLÍTICA | latercera.com". 5 March 2016. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ "El Mercurio.com". 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ S.A.P, El Mercurio (8 June 2010). "Gobierno acepta renuncia de embajador Otero tras polémicos dichos". Emol (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ "Falleció Miguel Otero, ex senador de la República y fundador de Renovación Nacional". Soy Chile. 1 March 2025. Retrieved 1 March 2025.
- ^ "SISTEMA DE DESPLIEGUE DE COMPUTOS - MINISTERIO DEL INTERIOR". 2 June 2009. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2025.