Luis Valenzuela Blanquier

Luis Enrique Valenzuela Blanquier was a Chilean civil engineer, mining executive, diplomat and political figure.
He served as Chile's Minister of Mining between 1975 and 1978 under the military government of General Augusto Pinochet, and later as Ambassador of Chile to the United States from 1984 to 1988.

Professional career

Valenzuela began his career in the mining sector and became one of Chile's leading civil engineers in the field. In 1960, during the presidency of Jorge Alessandri, he was appointed general manager of the newly consolidated Empresa Nacional de Minería, becoming the first person to hold that position after the merger of the Caja de Crédito y Fomento Minero and the Empresa Nacional de Fundiciones.
Under the Pinochet government, Valenzuela was appointed Minister of Mining in 1975, a post he held until December 1978.
From 1984 to 1988 he served as Chilean Ambassador to the United States, representing the military government in Washington during a period of significant diplomatic tension and economic transition.
He was also an active member of the Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas de Chile.

Family

Valenzuela was the son of attorney Enrique Valenzuela Labatut and Elena Blanquier Teylletche.
He married Mónica Ossa Pretot, daughter of Carlos Ossa Videla—himself the son of parliamentarian Blas Ossa Ossa—and Virginia Pretot.