José Miguel Insulza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Miguel Insulza
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| Senator of the Republic of Chile for the Arica y Parinacota Region |
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| Assumed office March 11, 2018 |
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| 9th Secretary General of the Organization of American States | |
| In office May 26, 2005 – May 26, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Luigi R. Einaudi (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Luis Almagro |
| Minister of the Interior | |
| In office March 11, 2000 – May 24, 2005 |
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| President | Ricardo Lagos |
| Preceded by | Raúl Troncoso Castillo |
| Succeeded by | Francisco Vidal Salinas |
| Minister Secretary-General of the Presidency | |
| In office June 22, 1999 – March 11, 2000 |
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| President | Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle |
| Preceded by | John Biel del Río |
| Succeeded by | Alvaro García Hurtado |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office September 20, 1994 – June 22, 1999 |
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| President | Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle |
| Preceded by | Carlos Figueroa Serrano |
| Succeeded by | Juan Gabriel Valdés |
| Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office March 11, 1994 – September 20, 1994 |
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| President | Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 June 1943 Santiago, Chile |
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| Other political affiliations |
Puebla Group (since 2019) |
| Spouse | Georgina Núñez Reyes |
| Parents | Agustín Insulza Fuentes Ana Salinas Cordovez |
| Education |
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| Signature |  |
José Miguel Insulza Salinas (born June 2, 1943) is a Chilean politician, lawyer, and academic. He has held many important roles in his country. Since 2018, he has been a senator for the Arica y Parinacota Region.
Before becoming a senator, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 1999. He was also the Minister Secretary-General of the Presidency from 1999 to 2000. Both of these roles were under President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle.
Later, he became Minister of the Interior from 2000 to 2005 under President Ricardo Lagos. One of his most well-known roles was as Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) from 2005 to 2015.
In Chile, José Miguel Insulza is sometimes called El Panzer. This nickname means he is very strong and determined in politics. He is known for handling tough situations without showing much stress.
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Early Life and Education
José Miguel Insulza went to St. George's College in Santiago, Chile. This was an English-language school. He showed an early interest in public service.
While studying law at the University of Chile, he was very active. He led the Law Students Center and was vice president of the University of Chile Student Federation (FECH). He also became president of the National Association of Student Unions (UFUCH).
After law school, he continued his studies. He earned a graduate degree from the Latin American Social Sciences Faculty (FLACSO). He also got a Master of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan. Before 1973, he taught Political Theory at the University of Chile. He also taught Political Science at the Catholic University in Chile.
Political Career
Starting in Politics
From 1969 to 1973, Insulza was a member of the Popular Unitary Action Movement (MAPU). He tried to become a deputy for Santiago in the 1973 Chilean parliamentary election. However, he was not elected. In 1973, he worked as a Political Advisor for Chile's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also directed the Diplomatic Academy of Chile.
Years in Exile
After the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, Insulza was not allowed to return to Chile. He was at an international meeting in Paris at the time. He lived outside Chile for 15 years. First, he lived in Rome, Italy, from 1974 to 1981. Then, he moved to Mexico from 1981 to 1988.
In Mexico, he worked as a researcher. He became the Director of the United States Studies Institute at the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas (CIDE). He also taught at several universities, including the National Autonomous University of Mexico. During this time, he wrote many articles in his field. In 1985, he joined the Socialist Party of Chile.
Returning to Chile
Insulza came back to Chile in early 1988. He joined the Concertación group of left-leaning political parties. After military rule ended, he was appointed Chilean Ambassador for International Cooperation in 1990.
Later, he became Director of Multilateral Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Vice President of the International Cooperation Agency (AGCI). He joined several important Chilean groups, including the Bar Association.
On March 11, 1994, Insulza became Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs. This was under President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle. On September 20, 1994, he was promoted to Minister of Foreign Affairs.
As Foreign Minister, he handled some important border disagreements. He accepted a ruling that gave most of a disputed area, called Laguna del Desierto dispute, to Argentina. He also helped with an agreement about the Southern Patagonian Ice Field dispute.
On June 22, 1999, he became Minister Secretary-General of the Presidency. On March 11, 2000, he took office as Minister of the Interior. This role was under President Ricardo Lagos.
Leading the Organization of American States
On May 2, 2005, Insulza was chosen as Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). He was the only candidate after another candidate, Luis Ernesto Derbez, withdrew.
In 2007, Insulza spoke out against Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez's decision. Chávez had decided not to renew the broadcast license for a TV channel called RCTV. Chávez then criticized Insulza very strongly. However, many OAS members, including the US, supported Insulza. Chávez later admitted his words were too harsh.
In 2008, Chávez congratulated Insulza. This was after Insulza told the United States House of Representatives that there was no proof linking Venezuela to terrorist groups.
Insulza had thought about running for President of Chile. But on January 5, 2009, he decided not to. He promised to stay as Secretary General of the OAS until his term ended. He supported Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle as the candidate for president.
On March 24, 2010, Insulza was reelected as OAS chief for another five-year term. He was the only candidate.
Insulza received the Human Rights Award from the Washington Office on Latin America in 2008. In 2014, he was given the Kalman H. Silvert Award by the Council on Hemispheric Affairs.
Some Criticisms
Some people felt that Insulza, as Secretary General, could have done more to protect human rights in the Americas. For example, in 2008, the Human Rights Foundation started a program to inform him monthly about human rights issues in the region.
Recent Activities
In 2019, Insulza attended the first meeting of the Puebla Group in Buenos Aires. This group brings together left-leaning political leaders.
Links
- Biography at OAS site
- Insulza CV (OAS.org)
- "Perfil de Insulza, futuro Secretario General de la OEA" (El Mercurio Online, Santiago)
- [1] (grassrootsonline.org)
See also
In Spanish: José Miguel Insulza para niños
