He was born in Lumaco, in the former province of Arauco, Chile, on 14 June 1891. He was the son of Santiago Ortega Quezada and Edelmira Aguayo Sáez.[2]
He completed his primary education at the Public School of Lumaco and his secondary studies at the Liceo de Hombres de Concepción.[2] He later studied law at the University of Chile, obtaining his law degree (Bachelor in Laws and Political Science) in 1915.[2]
He married Betty Fenner Marín (sister of Oscar Fenner) on 2 February 1916, and they had three children: Renato, Rodolfo and María Isabel.[2]
From 1924 to 1928 he served as Intendant of the province of Concepción.[1] He was an active member of the Radical Party in Concepción and served as president of the Radical Assembly of Concepción in 1925. In 1928 he established a law practice in Santiago.[2]
Alongside his political and professional activities, he was involved in football administration. He served as president of the Chilean Football Federation and led the Chilean delegation to the 1930 FIFA World Cup held in Uruguay.[2]
In December 1938, during the government of President Pedro Aguirre Cerda, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, serving until February 1940.[2] During his tenure he supported the asylum policy for Spanish Republicans sheltered in the Chilean embassy in Spain and played an active role in the refugee program that culminated with the arrival in Valparaíso of the ship Winnipeg, carrying close to 2,350 passengers who settled in Chile.[2] He faced political opposition to the asylum program promoted by the Popular Front government.[2]
He also dealt with diplomatic matters arising from the Second World War, promoting an “Americanist” orientation in foreign policy.[2] He was appointed by Aguirre Cerda to serve temporarily in other ministerial portfolios, including (on two occasions) the Ministry of the Interior.[2] He received several decorations, including the Grand Cross of the Order of the Aztec Eagle, awarded by the Government of Mexico.[2]
In 1941 he was appointed prosecutor of the Instituto de Crédito Industrial and later served as its president until 1951. He also served as prosecutor of the Public Charity Board until his death on 20 September 1951 in Santiago.[2]
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