Alfredo Duhalde

Duhalde was born in Río Bueno on 30 June 1898, the son of Pedro Duhalde Etchebarne and Zoila Rosa Vásquez Martínez.^[1] His father was born in Louhossoa, France, while his mother was from Quilacahuín, Chile.

Duhalde received his primary and secondary education at the Liceo de Aplicación in Santiago. He subsequently studied at the School of Law of the University of Chile, where he qualified as a lawyer.^[1]

He had a son, painter Walter Luis Duhalde Gallo, from a relationship with María Gallo of Río Bueno. In 1923, he married Yolanda Heufmann Ellwanger, with whom he had six children: René, Yolanda, Sara, Marta, Carmen, and Sonia.^[1]

Duhalde was involved in agricultural activities in Río Bueno and La Unión for much of his life and was one of the founders of Banco Agrícola. He later devoted himself to politics and joined the Radical Party.^[1]

In the 1924 parliamentary election, Duhalde was elected to the Chamber of Deputies of Chile for Llanquihue and Carelmapu for the 1924–1927 legislative term. He formally took office on 6 August 1924. His term ended prematurely when the National Congress was dissolved on 11 September 1924 following the coup d'état of 1924.^[1]

In the 1932 parliamentary election, he was again elected to the Chamber of Deputies, this time representing the 22nd Departmental Grouping of Valdivia, Osorno, and La Unión for the 1933–1937 term. During this period, he served on the Permanent Commission for Development, Roads and Public Works.^[1]

Under President Pedro Aguirre Cerda, Duhalde was appointed Minister of National Defense on 10 January 1940, serving until 24 October of that year. President Juan Antonio Ríos appointed him to the same position on 2 April 1942, and he remained in office until 7 June 1943. He also served as acting Minister of Foreign Affairs from 21 to 26 October 1942.^[1]

In the 1945 parliamentary election, Duhalde was elected to the Senate of Chile for the 9th Provincial Grouping, comprising the provinces of Valdivia, Osorno, Llanquihue, Chiloé, Aysén, and Magallanes, for the 1945–1953 term. He served on the Permanent Commission for National Defense.^[1]

During his parliamentary career, Duhalde introduced several motions that subsequently became law. These concerned matters including changes to the boundaries of the commune of Valdivia, the functions of local judges in San José de la Mariquina, benefits for the Valdivia Fire Department, municipal borrowing by La Unión, and regulations governing the purchase and sale of animal hair.^[1]

On 24 September 1945, Duhalde returned to the Ríos administration as Minister of the Interior. While holding this position, he assumed the vice-presidency as President Ríos became increasingly unable to exercise his duties because of illness.^[1]

On 17 January 1946, Duhalde assumed executive authority as Vice President of Chile while Juan Antonio Ríos remained President but was unable to exercise the office because of his deteriorating health.^[1]

Shortly after Duhalde assumed executive authority, his administration faced significant labour unrest. A demonstration held at Plaza Bulnes on 28 January 1946 was suppressed by the authorities, resulting in six deaths and numerous injuries. The incident became known as the Plaza Bulnes massacre.^[1]

President Ríos died on 27 June 1946. As vice president, Duhalde was responsible for arranging the presidential election to choose Ríos's successor. He also sought the Radical Party's presidential nomination.^[1]

On 3 August 1946, Duhalde temporarily relinquished the vice-presidency to his Interior Minister, Vice Admiral Vicente Merino Bielich, while seeking his party's presidential nomination. Duhalde represented the party's more conservative wing but was ultimately defeated for the nomination by Gabriel González Videla.^[1]

Duhalde resumed executive authority on 13 August 1946. He remained vice president until 17 October, when he resigned shortly before González Videla was due to assume the presidency. Interior Minister Juan Antonio Iribarren succeeded him as vice president.^[1]

After leaving the government, Duhalde returned to his Senate seat. He also left the Radical Party and joined the Democratic Radical Party.^[1]

Duhalde died in Santiago on 10 April 1985, aged 86.^[1]