Juan Pablo Bennett

Who was Juan Pablo Bennett?

Division General Juan Pablo Bennett Argandoña was a Chilean military officer and member of the Government Junta that ruled Chile between 1924 and 1925.

Juan Pablo Bennett was born in La Serena, the son of Charles Bennett Stacey and Buenaventura Argandoña Barraza. In 1903, he married Carlota Agacio Batres, with whom he had five children: Antonio, Maria Luisa, Juan, Carlota and Jenny.

He had a brilliant career in the army. In 1909 he was sent as military attaché to the Chilean embassy in Berlin. In 1924, he was named Minister of War and Navy, by President Arturo Alessandri.

On September 11, 1924 he joined the conservative military coup that ousted president Arturo Alessandri. He served as member of a Government Junta that ruled the country until January 23, 1925, together with General Luis Altamirano and Vice-Admiral Francisco Nef. On February 6, 1925 he was retired from active duty. He died in Santiago in 1951.