José María Sepúlveda
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José María Sepúlveda Galindo (25 August 1917 – 9 October 1988) was a Chilean police officer and politician. He served as General Director of Carabineros de Chile from 3 November 1970 until the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, when he was removed from office and imprisoned after refusing to resign.[1][2]
José María Sepúlveda | |
|---|---|
| General Director of Carabineros de Chile | |
| In office 3 November 1970 – 11 September 1973 | |
| President | Salvador Allende |
| Preceded by | Vicente Huerta |
| Succeeded by | César Mendoza |
| Minister of Lands and Colonization | |
| In office 9 August 1973 – 11 September 1973 | |
| President | Salvador Allende |
| Preceded by | Roberto Cuéllar |
| Succeeded by | Diego Barba Valdés |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 August 1917 |
| Died | 9 October 1988 (aged 71) |
| Party | Independent Popular Action (API) |
| Alma mater | Escuela de Carabineros de Chile |
| Profession | Police officer |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Carabineros de Chile |
| Rank | General |
He also briefly served as Minister of Lands and Colonization between 9 August and 11 September 1973, under President Salvador Allende.[3]
Police career
Born in Curicó, Sepúlveda entered the Escuela de Carabineros de Chile in 1936 as a cadet.[4] He rose through the ranks, becoming director of the academy in 1965 and a general in 1967. On 3 November 1970, President Allende appointed him General Director of Carabineros.
In 1971 he was named “Illustrious Son” of Curicó and received the Order of Merit of the Peruvian Civil Guard.[5]
During the coup of 11 September 1973, he was in La Moneda Palace, refusing to resign despite pressure from the new junta and from his designated successor, General César Mendoza. After the coup, he was dismissed, arrested, and retired by force.
He lived away from public life until his death in Santiago on 9 October 1988, at the age of 71.
Promotions in Carabineros
- 1936: Cadet
- 1938: Second lieutenant
- 1940: Lieutenant
- 1950: Captain
- 1957: Major
- 1961: Lieutenant colonel
- 1964: Colonel
- 1967: Brigadier General (subinspector)
- 1968: Inspector General
- 1970: General Director