Pedro Opaso
Pedro Opaso | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Senate | |
| In office 15 May 1924 – 15 May 1949 | |
| Constituency | 6th Provincial Grouping |
| Acting President of Chile | |
| In office 26 July 1931 – 27 July 1931 | |
| Preceded by | Carlos Ibáñez del Campo |
| Succeeded by | Juan Esteban Montero |
| President of the Senate | |
| In office 26 May 1930 – 9 January 1933 | |
| In office 23 May 1944 – 31 May 1944 | |
| Minister of War and Navy | |
| In office 16 June 1920 – 5 July 1920 | |
| President | Arturo Alessandri |
| Minister of Industry and Public Works | |
| In office 23 June 1920 – 1 July 1920 | |
| President | Arturo Alessandri |
| Member of the Chamber of Deputies | |
| In office 15 May 1921 – 15 May 1924 | |
| Constituency | Talca |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 July 1876 Talca, Chile |
| Died | 9 April 1957 (aged 80) Santiago, Chile |
| Party | United Liberal |
| Parent(s) | Ursicinio Opaso Margarita Letelier |
| Alma mater | University of Chile |
Pedro Opaso Letelier (20 July 1876 – 9 April 1957) was a Chilean politician and provisional vice president of Chile in 1931. He also was senator from 1924 to 1949.
He was born in Talca, the son of Ursicino Opaso and Margarita Letelier. He completed his studies in his native city, and then attended the Universidad de Chile, where he became a physician. He started his political career as the first mayor of the city of Río Claro. In 1920 Opaso was named minister in several occasions as a representative of the Democratic Liberal Party. He was elected a deputy for Curicó (1921–1924) and a Senator for Talca (1924–1930) and Talca, Linares and Curico (1930–1932).
At the time of the collapse of the first administration of Carlos Ibáñez del Campo in 1931, he was the President of the Senate. As such he took over as provisional vice president. He assumed on July 26, and that same night he formed his cabinet, headed by Juan Esteban Montero as interior minister and Pedro Blanquier, the other key player, as Finance minister.
When the ministers arrived on the next morning, Opaso resigned by decree on Montero. His entire administration had lasted less than 24 hours. The speed he demonstrated to get rid of the power earned him the nickname of The Relayer (Spanish: El Pasador), that accompanied him till his death.
After his very brief administration, he was elected Senator for Curicó, Talca, Maule y Linares (1933–1949) and again President of the Senate in 1944. He died in Santiago in 1957.