Contreras Labarca, Carlos

Born Nov. 25, 1899, in Bulnes, Ñuble Province, Chile. Chilean political figure and statesman.

Upon graduating from the law faculty at the University of Chile in 1924, Contreras practiced law. From 1922 he took part in the activity of the Workers’ Federation of Chile. In 1924 he joined the Communist Party of Chile (CPC), serving as a member of its Central Committee from 1931 and as its general secretary between 1931 and 1946. Contreras played a prominent role in the creation of the Popular Front in 1936, and as a candidate of the Popular Front he scored a victory in the 1938 presidential elections. In 1925–29 and 1937–41 he was a deputy and in 1941–46 and 1961–69 a senator in the National Congress. From November 1946 to April 1947 he was minister of communications. In 1973 he was the Chilean ambassador to the German Democratic Republic.