Ramón Santander

Ramón Santander Fernández (9 November 1916 – ?) was a Chilean lawyer and politician who served as acting Minister of Public Health and Social Welfare from September to October 1958, during the second administration of President Carlos Ibáñez del Campo.

Early life

Santander was born in Talagante, Chile, on 9 November 1916, the son of Juan Francisco Santander Ugalde and Zoraída Fernández Tapia.

He received his primary and secondary education at the Instituto de Humanidades Luis Campino before studying law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (PUC). He graduated in 1945 with the thesis El control de los precios en el comercio al por mayor en Chile, which was awarded distinction.

He married Marta Oliva Michón, with whom he had five children: Juan Ramón, Sergio Pedro, Carlos Eduardo, Mónica Francisca, and María Paz Javiera.

Political career

Santander began his professional career in 1938 as an official in the legal department of the Private Employees' Pension Fund (Empart), later serving as a lawyer for the institution. He also practised law privately and was a member of Club Deportivo Universidad Católica.

Politically unaffiliated, Santander was appointed acting Minister of Public Health and Social Welfare on 16 September 1958, during the second administration of President Carlos Ibáñez del Campo. He temporarily replaced Jorge Torreblanca and remained in office until 13 October 1958, when Torreblanca resumed his duties.

During the administration of President Eduardo Frei Montalva, Santander was appointed Undersecretary of Social Welfare on 3 November 1964, serving until 1967.

Santander died in Santiago, Chile.