David Cortés (politician) facts for kids

Ángel David Cortés Villegas (born March 1, 1955 – died October 30, 2015) was a Bolivian teacher, politician, and leader who worked for workers' rights. He served as a representative for Potosí in the Chamber of Deputies from 2010 to 2015.

David Cortés became a teacher after studying at the Marshal Sucre Normal School. He also earned a master's degree in how to manage schools from Tomás Frías University. He didn't agree with the strict military governments of his time, which led him to join the Communist Party of Bolivia. This group worked hard to protect the rights of teachers and miners.

Throughout his life, David Cortés helped many important worker groups in Potosí. He led several teacher unions and was the director of the Óscar Alfaro School in La Palca. In 2005, he became a senior official for culture and human development in Potosí. He became well-known for a special tradition: he would dress up as Santa Claus during the Christmas season! He would spread joy and give gifts to children.

Because he was so popular, when Potosí's Mayor René Joaquino decided to run for president in 2009, David Cortés was chosen to run for a seat in the Chamber of Deputies. He won, thanks to his popularity in the city.

Quick facts for kids David Cortés
Member of the Chamber of Deputies from Potosí circumscription 37
In office 19 January 2010 – 18 January 2015
Substitute	Elizabeth Soto
Preceded by	César Navarro
Succeeded by	Gonzalo Barrientos
Constituency	Potosí
Personal details
Born	Ángel David Cortés Villegas (1955-03-01)1 March 1955 Potosí, Bolivia
Died	30 October 2015(2015-10-30) (aged 60) La Paz, Bolivia
Political party	Social Alliance
Other political affiliations	Communist
Alma mater	Marshal Sucre Normal School Tomás Frías University
Occupation	Educator politician trade unionist
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Early Life and Work

David Cortés was born on March 1, 1955, in Potosí, Bolivia. His parents were David Cortés Rivera and Aurelia Villegas. He grew up in a small mining community called Catavi. He finished his primary education there before moving to Sucre in 1968. He then finished secondary school at the Junín National School.

David Cortés studied both medicine and education at the same time. He completed six semesters of medical school and also graduated from the Marshal Sucre Normal School. Later, he went to Tomás Frías University. There, he earned a degree in how to manage schools and a master's degree in educational management. While he was in university, David Cortés also had a twelve-year career playing professional football. He was a goalkeeper for teams like River Plate and Independiente Petrolero.

When he was a teenager, David Cortés saw a sad event called the San Juan massacre. During this event, workers who were on strike were hurt by the military. This made him want to help workers and get involved in the labor movement. He joined the Communist Party of Bolivia (PCB) because he was against the strict governments of the 1970s and 1980s. He became a leader for this group, speaking up for teachers and miners.

In 1980, he helped start the National Confederation of Student Teachers and became its executive secretary. That same year, after Luis García Meza took over the government by force, David Cortés was made to join the Army for three years in Tupiza. He was not allowed to be involved in politics during this time. So, he played football again for a short time for the 1º de Mayo club in Potosí.

After leaving the army, David Cortés went back to teaching. He taught for a short time at Siglo XX National University. Then, he settled in La Palca. He first taught at the Óscar Alfaro School and later became its director for eighteen years, from 1985 to 2003. During this time, he was also the executive secretary of the Federation of Education Workers of Potosí. He also advised the Departmental Workers' Center and was a member of the Potosí Civic Committee.

In 2003, David Cortés was chosen to be the district director of urban education in Potosí for two years. Soon after, the Mayor of Potosí, René Joaquino, asked him to work in the Mayor's Office. He became the senior official for culture and human development for four years, from 2005 to 2009. During this time, he became very famous in the city for dressing up as Santa Claus during the Christmas season. He would bring happiness and give gifts to children, which earned him the nickname "the Santa Claus of Potosí."

A Public Servant

Because David Cortés was so well-liked in Potosí, he was chosen to run for a seat in the Chamber of Deputies. He ran for Mayor Joaquino's Social Alliance (AS) party. In the 2009 election, he was a candidate for the area that includes the municipality of Potosí. His popularity, along with Mayor Joaquino's strong presence, helped him win the election.

While in the Chamber of Deputies, David Cortés was an important member of the Parliamentary Network for Children and Adolescents. This group worked to protect the rights and well-being of young people in the country. He also continued his special Christmas tradition of dressing as Santa Claus.

For all five years of his term, David Cortés served as the fourth secretary on the Chamber's leadership team. During this time, he suggested twelve new laws, and four of them became real laws. About halfway through his time in office, David Cortés started to work more closely with the ruling Movement for Socialism party. He often voted in favor of their plans.

When his term ended, David Cortés decided not to run for reelection and retired from politics. He passed away in La Paz in October 2015, less than a year after leaving office. After a short ceremony at the Legislative Assembly, he was buried in La Paz's Jardín Cemetery.

Electoral History

David Cortés ran for office in 2009 and won his seat in the Chamber of Deputies. Here is a summary of his election results:

See also

In Spanish: David Cortés (político) para niños