Waldo Sankán

Waldo Sankán Martínez (born 25 April 1967) is a Chilean civil engineer and politician who served as mayor of Arica (2007–2012).

During his tenure as mayor of Arica, Waldo Sankán faced several judicial proceedings. He was acquitted of charges related to an alleged fraud involving the National Corporation for Indigenous Development (CONADI).

However, in subsequent cases, he was convicted of crimes linked to irregularities in municipal procurement processes, including fraud against the state and bribery, resulting in criminal penalties and a temporary disqualification from holding public office.

Early life and education

Sankán was born in Arica on 25 April 1967. He attended Escuela D-21 Tucapel and later Liceo A-1 Octavio Palma Pérez in his hometown. He studied civil engineering at the Universidad de Tarapacá.

Political career

He joined the Party for Democracy (PPD) in 1988 and held internal party roles.

In the 2000 municipal elections, he was elected councillor of Arica with 6,693 votes (9.50%). Then, in 2004, Sankán was re-elected as councillor with 6,319 votes (10.19%).

In 2008, he resigned from the PPD and ran as an independent candidate for mayor. He was elected mayor of Arica in the 2008 municipal elections with 28,727 votes (44.55%).