José Miguel Insulza
Encyclopedia
José Miguel Insulza Salinas (born June 2, 1943) is a Chile
an politician and statesman. He is currently (since May 26, 2005) the Secretary General
of the Organization of American States
. He is nicknamed El Panzer
, for his tank-like drive and reputation due to his ability to take political heat with little apparent damage. He is married to Mexican Georgina Núñez Reyes and has three children.
. He showed interest in public service while studying law at the University of Chile, where he was vice president of the students' federation. After graduating from law school, he obtained a graduate degree from the Latin American Social Sciences Faculty (FLACSO) and a Master of Arts
in Political Science
from the University of Michigan
, United States
. He was professor of Political Theory at the University of Chile and of Political Science
at the Catholic University in Chile until 1973. He was also Political Advisor to the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Chile until 1973.
, the Universidad Iberoamericana
, and the Diplomatic Studies Institute. He has penned numerous publications in his field.
On March 11, 1994 Insulza became Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs. On September 20 of that year he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. On June 22, 1999 he was appointed Minister Secretary General of the Office of the President. On March 11, 2000 he took office as Minister of the Interior of Chile.
of the Organization of American States
on May 2, 2005 following the withdrawal from the race of Mexico's Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez
. (See Organization of American States Secretary General election, 2005.)
On January 5, 2007 Insulza criticized Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez
's decision not to renew television channel RCTV
's broadcast license (Chávez had accused the station of being a golpista—a coup d'état
instigator.) Three days later Chávez responded to Insulza by calling for his resignation and referring to him as a pendejo—a Spanish profanity
which is equivalent to "dumbass". Insulza later received the support of almost all the OAS members, including the US, and Chávez conceded he had gone too far with his words. On April 2008 Chávez congratulated Insulza for stating in a presentation before the United States House of Representatives
Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere that there was no evidence linking Venezuela to terrorist groups.
Insulza openly stated his intention to run for President of Chile, but on January 5, 2009, he stepped out of the race and vowed to continue as OAS chief until the end of his mandate. He gave his support to Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle
as the Concertación candidate for president.
On March 24, 2010, Insulza—the sole candidate—was reelected by acclamation (with the abstention of Bolivia) as OAS chief for another five-year term.
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
an politician and statesman. He is currently (since May 26, 2005) the Secretary General
Secretary General of the Organization of American States
According to the Charter of the Organization of American States:-Secretaries General of the OAS:-Assistant Secretaries General of the OAS:*William Manger *William Sanders...
of the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
. He is nicknamed El Panzer
Panzer
A Panzer is a German language word that, when used as a noun, means "tank". When it is used as an adjective, it means either tank or "armoured" .- Etymology :...
, for his tank-like drive and reputation due to his ability to take political heat with little apparent damage. He is married to Mexican Georgina Núñez Reyes and has three children.
Early life
Insulza attended St George's College, an elite American English-language school in Santiago, ChileSantiago, Chile
Santiago , also known as Santiago de Chile, is the capital and largest city of Chile, and the center of its largest conurbation . It is located in the country's central valley, at an elevation of above mean sea level...
. He showed interest in public service while studying law at the University of Chile, where he was vice president of the students' federation. After graduating from law school, he obtained a graduate degree from the Latin American Social Sciences Faculty (FLACSO) and a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He was professor of Political Theory at the University of Chile and of Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at the Catholic University in Chile until 1973. He was also Political Advisor to the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Chile until 1973.
Exile in Mexico
During the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, Insulza was prohibited to enter Chile. Insulza lived in exile in Mexico from 1981 to 1988, doing research and then working as the Director of the United States Studies Institute in the Center for Economic Research and Teaching (CIDE). He was a professor at Mexico's Universidad Nacional AutónomaNational Autonomous University of Mexico
The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México is a university in Mexico. UNAM was founded on 22 September 1910 by Justo Sierra as a liberal alternative to the Roman Catholic-sponsored Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico The Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) (National Autonomous...
, the Universidad Iberoamericana
Universidad Iberoamericana
The Ibero-American University is a Mexican private institution of higher education sponsored by the Society of Jesus...
, and the Diplomatic Studies Institute. He has penned numerous publications in his field.
Return to Chile
Insulza was appointed Chilean Ambassador for International Cooperation in 1990. He became Director of Multilateral Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vice President of the International Cooperation Agency (AGCI). He was a member of the Chilean Association of Political Science, the Bar Association, and the Chilean Council of International Relations.On March 11, 1994 Insulza became Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs. On September 20 of that year he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. On June 22, 1999 he was appointed Minister Secretary General of the Office of the President. On March 11, 2000 he took office as Minister of the Interior of Chile.
OAS chief
Insulza was elected Secretary GeneralSecretary General of the Organization of American States
According to the Charter of the Organization of American States:-Secretaries General of the OAS:-Assistant Secretaries General of the OAS:*William Manger *William Sanders...
of the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
on May 2, 2005 following the withdrawal from the race of Mexico's Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez
Luis Ernesto Derbez
Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista is a Mexican politician and current rector of the Universidad de Las Américas.Upon assuming power in December 2000, President Vicente Fox chose him to serve as his Secretary of Economy...
. (See Organization of American States Secretary General election, 2005.)
On January 5, 2007 Insulza criticized Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
's decision not to renew television channel RCTV
RCTV
Radio Caracas Televisión Internacional is a Venezuelan cable television network headquartered in the Caracas neighborhood of Quinta Crespo. It was sometimes referred to as the Canal de Bárcenas. Owned by Empresas 1BC, RCTV Internacional was inaugurated as Radio Caracas Televisión on 15 November...
's broadcast license (Chávez had accused the station of being a golpista—a coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
instigator.) Three days later Chávez responded to Insulza by calling for his resignation and referring to him as a pendejo—a Spanish profanity
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
which is equivalent to "dumbass". Insulza later received the support of almost all the OAS members, including the US, and Chávez conceded he had gone too far with his words. On April 2008 Chávez congratulated Insulza for stating in a presentation before the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere that there was no evidence linking Venezuela to terrorist groups.
Insulza openly stated his intention to run for President of Chile, but on January 5, 2009, he stepped out of the race and vowed to continue as OAS chief until the end of his mandate. He gave his support to Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle
Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle
Eduardo Alfredo Juan Bernardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle is a Chilean politician and civil engineer who was President of Chile from 1994 to 2000. He is currently Senator for Los Ríos and was President of the Senate from 2006 to 2008. He attempted a comeback as the candidate of the ruling Concertación...
as the Concertación candidate for president.
On March 24, 2010, Insulza—the sole candidate—was reelected by acclamation (with the abstention of Bolivia) as OAS chief for another five-year term.
External links
- "Checkmate by Default: Insulza Wins OAS Race because he is the Sole Candidate that Remains" (The Council on Hemispheric Affairs, May 2, 2005)