By The newspaper
06 Feb 2024, 16:39 PM EST
The Chilean government announced the organization of state funerals and declared national mourning in memory of former president Sebastián Piñera, who lost his life this Tuesday after a tragic helicopter accident in the Los Ríos Region, located 780 kilometers south of Santiago.
According to the EFE agency, the Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Carolina Tohá, confirmed the event and extended a message of solidarity to the family of the deceased in a public statement from the Palacio de la Moneda.
Sebastián Piñera, who led Chile in two presidential terms, will be remembered with all the honors and republican recognitions he deserves, according to Minister Tohá.
Honors and Recognitions for a Democratic President
According to El Colombiano, President Gabriel Boric ordered a state funeral and has expressed his solidarity and support directly to Piñera’s family.
The accident occurred when the helicopter piloted by former President Piñera plunged into the waters of Lake Ranco, under unfavorable weather conditions.
Testimonies collected indicate that, after the fall, three people managed to stay afloat, including a minor. However, Piñera was trapped by the seat belt and could not escape from the helicopter like his companions did.
Chile mourns the death of Piñera
This event has shocked the nation, leading the Chilean Government to declare national mourning as a sign of respect and recognition for the figure of Piñera, not only as former president but also as an outstanding citizen who contributed to the democratic development of the country.
Sebastián Piñera, a prominent Chilean businessman and politician, played a significant role in his country’s politics, serving twice as President of Chile. His first term was from 2010 to 2014, and he was subsequently re-elected for a second term from 2018 to 2022.
As a member of the National Renewal party, part of the center-right Chile Vamos coalition, his leadership was marked by a focus on economic reforms and stability, seeking to boost Chile’s economic growth and increase investment in infrastructure and education.
Before his political career, Piñera stood out in the business field, amassing a considerable fortune through investments in various industries, making him one of the richest men in Chile.
Piñera’s legacy, however, is complex and the subject of debate. During her second term, she faced significant challenges, including the massive social protests of 2019 that shook the country, demanding structural reforms in pensions, health and education, and criticizing economic inequality.
These events led to a constituent process to replace the constitution inherited from the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, marking a historic moment in Chilean democracy.
Despite criticism and political polarization, Piñera managed to implement some key policies and maintained a stance of openness to dialogue, leaving a legacy of ups and downs in the context of contemporary Chilean politics.
His influence in the country and his trajectory reflect the complexity of governing in times of change and the difficulty of balancing economic demands with social expectations.
Keep reading:
· Sebastián Piñera died: this is how world leaders reacted to the news
· What is the area like where the helicopter accident occurred in which Sebastián Piñera died?
· They confirm the death of Sebastián Piñera, former president of Chile, in a helicopter accident