In a tragic turn of events, the former President of Chile, Sebastian Pinera, met his demise in a helicopter mishap on Tuesday. This untimely incident has cast a somber shadow over the nation that he steered through two terms, prompting an outpouring of condolences from leaders across the Latin American region.
The helicopter, carrying the 74-year-old Pinera and three companions, abruptly descended into a lake in southern Chile. Despite rescue efforts, Pinera was declared deceased shortly after the emergency personnel reached the scene, while the other three occupants managed to survive the ordeal.
Unnamed sources disclosed to Reuters that Pinera was the pilot, a claim yet to be officially verified, along with the intended destination of the ill-fated helicopter flight. The former president, renowned for spending Southern Hemisphere summers near the scenic lakes of southern Chile, was known to frequently pilot his own helicopter.
In response to the tragic incident, President Gabriel Boric declared a period of three days for national mourning. Preparations are underway for a state funeral scheduled on Friday, commemorating the former leader’s service during two non-consecutive terms spanning from 2010 to 2022.
Carolina Toha, the Interior Minister, confirmed the recovery of Pinera’s body from the lake near the town of Lago Ranco. Reflecting on his legacy, Toha remarked on his lifelong dedication to public service, a sentiment echoed amidst ongoing efforts to combat recent perilous wildfires.
Pinera gained international recognition for overseeing the remarkable 2010 rescue of 33 miners trapped beneath the Atacama desert, a global media spectacle later immortalized in the 2014 film, “The 33.” Locally, his image was that of a successful entrepreneur whose initial term witnessed rapid economic growth but left him perceived as somewhat disconnected from the rapidly evolving fabric of Chilean society.
Both of Pinera’s presidencies were marred by frequent protests, initially from students advocating for educational reform and later, during his second term, broader and at times violent demonstrations against societal inequalities. The culmination of the latter led to the government’s commitment to draft a new constitution.
Post-presidency, Pinera remained politically active, vocalizing his views on issues like the unsuccessful attempt to draft a new constitution. He lent his support to conservative politicians in the region, including Argentine President Javier Milei. Former Argentine President Mauricio Macri expressed his sorrow, lauding Pinera as a committed advocate for Chile and the values of freedom and democracy in Latin America.
