President Biden on Wednesday mourned former Chilean President Sebastián Piñera, who led the South American country through tumultuous events in separate terms and died in a helicopter crash on Tuesday.
Mr. Biden said he “deeply valued” working alongside Mr. Piñera over the last decade.
“Driven by a sense of passion and purpose, President Piñera was committed to forging a more secure and prosperous future for Chile,” the president said. “He worked tirelessly to grow Chile’s economy and advocate for his nation on the world stage.”
Mr. Biden credited Mr. Piñera, who served as president in 2010-2014 and again from 2018 to 2022, with leading a rapid vaccination effort during the COVID-19 crisis and helping the nation recover from a terrible earthquake and tsunami in 2010.
“President Piñera’s steadfast leadership not only helped guide Chile through the pain of darkness and loss but enabled Chile to emerge stronger — an inspiration Chileans can continue to draw from today as they bravely fight and recover from the tragic ongoing wildfires,” he said.
Mr. Piñera faced criticism for a 2019 police crackdown on protesters who were upset about the nation’s pension systems.
His death, at age 74, coincides with efforts to recover from recent wildfires in the central part of the country.
Mr. Biden mourned the fire devastation and offered assistance to first responders in Chile on Monday, and followed that statement two days later with condolences for Mr. Piñera’s family.
“The United States will continue the remarkable legacy of cooperation he helped chart, and we send our deepest condolences to former first lady Cecilia Morel, his family, and all those mourning this grave loss,” Mr. Biden said.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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