NEW CHILEAN GOVERNMENT LEADERS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06572351
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 27
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: October 16, 2017
• Case Number: F-2016-01845
• Publication Date: November 4, 1964

II
t
'Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
; I I
I I
. - �
r.
'cx=ccesmaxesta,5m,DIr.Saerswar.
CIA/cR 13
4.1\iovember L964, (b)(1)
(b)(3)
'1
omit
1;-*
,
,
INTELLIGENCE ,BRIEF _
:
k.:. ' � C. - ,.-.. __ ..-l� ' ' 1
,:� t-- - ,-4 17, . 4
. t . !L. . < , '11)
gVY:':ditIL:AN'GOVERWME,NT. LEADEitS.
7,3
I
I I>
<
,r;
1 P .-f (b)(6Y
-I ...1 t- -r(b)(7)(c) i'-
c r (b)(7)(e),.
DIRECTORATE, OF INTELLIGENCE ')
Offic6 of Central Reference;' UI
-
1
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
(b)(1)
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
!'�
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
NR
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
�Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
ANIL
AWL.
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
II
I
 Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
NR
..,
)
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
NR
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
I;
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
4
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 CO6572351--
V'
 Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
1
NR
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
,
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
-..
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
CHILE 23na.rs3,11EIgHT,ON ruzlga
Minister of Interior
Bernardo Leighton, a seasoned politican and
statesman who is considered the "grand old man" of
the Christian Democrat Party (PDC), was named
Minister of Interior by Eduardo Frei in October
1964. A middle-of-the-road member of the PDC, he
has an outstanding reputation across the entire
politicalsmeztrizn,_Jmnong both young and old
leaders. termed him an excellent
choice for his new post, stating that in view of
his background and their knowledge of him, he
would probably hold healthy views on the handling
of subversion and would be in all other respects a
good man for the delicate Interior portfolio. After the by-election
for Deputy in Curic6 in March 1964 (which the far-leftist Popular
Action Front won easily), Leighton was prominently mentioned as the
only PDC leader who would be acceptable to all sectors of the party,
should Frei decide to step down as the presidential candidate. In
April he was named head of the political committee of the Frei campaign,
a position formerly occupied by Frei himself.
his prestigious past, his integrity, and his famous
sense of humor would help to bring together effectively all the forces
with Frei and to assuage any differences which might arise.
Bernardo Leighton Gumin was born 16 August 1909 and graduated in
1933 as a lawyer from Catholic University, where he later taught
philosophy of law. A former president of the Conservative Youth, he
subsequently became one of the founders of the National Falange,
predecessor of the PDC. Minister of Labor under Arturo Alessandri at .
the record age of 27, he later served as Minister of Education (1950-52)
and as a National Deputy. In August 1962 he was defeated in a by-
election for Deputy in Santiago's First District. He has held various
posts within the PDC and has been the party's first vice president
since November 1962. In September 1963 he was. listed as a prospective
delegate to the Fourth World Conference of Christian Democracy,
Strasbourg, France.
BIOGRAPHIC
REGISTER
Prior to 1951 Leighton had a pro-labor and anti-government record
and was considered to be associated with Communist-front activities and
to be a collaborator with local Communists.
Leighton had a burning desire to achieve a high
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
 Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
(b)(1)
� (b)(3)
Bernardo LEIGHTON Gurt4n (cont.)
political post and that he was ready, willing and able to work with
the CommTsts toward this goal, despite the fact that he was strongly
Catholic.
By 1951, however, Leighton seemed to be
moving away from his Communist connections and in fact 1,fas a primary
Communist target during a tumult over an education agreement with the
United States. signed while Leighton was Education Minister.
intelligent
and energetic and as an executive who knew how to delegate authority.
Leighton is now believed to be anti-Communist.
The new Minister is married to the former Ana Fresno. In 1951 he
was studying English but it is not known how much of that language he
has learned.
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
October 1964 (b)(3
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
0\C
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351 -
 Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
 Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
NR
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
clet)
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
NR
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
1
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
V
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
AI�
r,
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
'NR
IF
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
1
,.7
k
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
-
-
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351
Approved for Release: 2017/10/02 C06572351 .