Régulo Valenzuela
Régulo Valenzuela Riveros (22 September 1861 – 18 March 1932) was a Chilean businessman, military officer and politician who served as a member of the Senate of Chile and as Minister of War and Navy under President Juan Luis Sanfuentes.
A member of the National Party, he represented Santiago in the Senate from 1918 to 1924.
Biography
Valenzuela Riveros was born in Santa Cruz, Colchagua Province, on 22 September 1861, to Eleuterio Valenzuela Arratia and Concepción Riveros Parga. He attended the Instituto Nacional, but left his studies following the outbreak of the War of the Pacific.
During the war, he served in the cavalry, initially holding the rank of ensign and subsequently attaining the rank of captain. Valenzuela Riveros married Rosa Valdés Arias, with whom he had six children. He later married Isabel Harrison de la Puente; the couple had no children.
After his military service, Valenzuela Riveros became active in commerce and developed extensive business interests in northern Chile and the former Peruvian provinces occupied by Chile after the War of the Pacific. His enterprises were particularly concentrated in Tacna, while his commercial network extended through Antofagasta, Arica and Mollendo.
His activities included the alcohol trade and industrial ventures, and he eventually operated eleven commercial establishments across the region. He also founded the banking firm Régulo Valenzuela y Cía.
Valenzuela Riveros died in Santiago on 18 March 1932, aged 70.
Political career
Valenzuela Riveros belonged to the National Party, where he was associated with its Montt-Varist faction and at one point served as president of the party.
In 1918, he was elected to the Senate as representative for Santiago for the 1918–1924 term. He sat on the permanent committee for war and naval affairs, later becoming its chairman during the second part of his senatorial tenure. He also served on the Conservative Commission during the 1921–1922 congressional recess.
While serving in the Senate, Valenzuela Riveros joined the government of President Juan Luis Sanfuentes as Minister of War and Navy, holding the portfolio from 26 March to 16 June 1920.
During the final days of that tenure, he simultaneously served as acting Minister of Justice and Public Instruction, from 12 to 16 June 1920.