Hugo Castro Jiménez

Hugo Castro Jiménez was a Chilean naval officer who attained the rank of vice admiral and served as Minister of Public Education from 1973 to 1975 during the military government of General Augusto Pinochet.
He was among the first senior officers of the Chilean Navy involved in the planning and execution of the 1973 Chilean coup d'état and was considered a close ally of Admiral José Toribio Merino.

Life and naval career

Castro was born in 1922 to Alberto Castro and Ana Luisa Jiménez.
He graduated from the Arturo Prat Naval Academy and rose through the ranks of the Navy, serving as director of the Naval Academy, commander-in-chief of the Chilean Squadron, and national director of the Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine.
He married Gloria Arteagabeitia Cardone.

Role in the military government

Following the 11 September 1973 coup, Castro was appointed Minister of Public Education on 27 September 1973. His tenure coincided with the early consolidation phase of the military junta led by General Pinochet. He remained in office until 16 May 1975.
He died in Santiago on 24 July 2009.