Enrique Balmaceda

Who was Enrique Balmaceda?

Enrique Balmaceda, born José Enrique Balmaceda Toro, was a Chilean politician, diplomat and son of President José Manuel Balmaceda. He was of Basque descent and a member of the Balmaceda family.

Balmaceda was born in Santiago, Chile, the son of José Manuel Balmaceda Fernández and of Emilia de Toro Herrera.

Balmaceda started his political career by joining the Liberal Democratic Party and was promptly elected deputy for "Itata" in a 1907 by-election to replace deputy Alberto Sanfuentes who had died, but lost his bid for reelection. In the congressional elections of 1918, he was elected deputy for "Castro" and was reelected for the same region. On May 12, 1921, President Arturo Alessandri appointed him Minister of War and Navy, position he held until August 16, 1921.

During the first administration of President Carlos Ibáñez he was appointed Minister of the Interior from May 23, 1927 to February 24, 1928; he concurrently served as interim Minister of Public Works and of Justice. During the second administration of President Ibáñez, he was appointed Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Balmaceda died in Santiago, in 1962, at the age of 81.