Fernando Matthei Aubel (b.Osorno July 11, 1925) is a retired Chilean Air Force General that was part of the military junta that ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990, after Gustavo Leigh was dismissed in 1978. Before he became a junta member, Matthei was Minister of Health of the military government. He was part of the junta from 1977 to 1989.
In October 1988, Matthei was the first junta member that admitted that the regime had lost a referendum to elect Pinochet for a new eight-year presidential term. Later the same day the government stated that the referendum result would be respected and that the 1980 Constitution path to democracy would be strictly followed. In September, 2005, Matthei admitted in a television program that he "did everything possible so that Argentina would lose" in the 1982 Falklands War with Britain.[1]. His comments and actions can be interpreted as junta's efforts to maintain power and legitimacy in the eyes of the U.S. and the U.K. The post junta Chilean governments have claimed they were not responsible for the actions of the military junta.
Matthei is the father of Chilean senator Evelyn Matthei.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by |
Minister of Health 1976-1978 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Gustavo Leigh |
Member of Government Junta 1978-1990 |
Succeeded by None |
| Military offices | ||
| Preceded by Gustavo Leigh |
Air Force Commander-in-chief 1978-1991 |
Succeeded by Ramón Vega |
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