Santiago, February 1, 2024 — A surprising name is circulating as a frontrunner for Chile’s next Minister of Defense: Guillermo Turner Olea, a journalist with deep ties to both the media industry and the country’s forestry sector. The appointment of Turner, 55, would signal a shift towards civilian leadership at the defense ministry.
A Journalist and Business Executive Poised for Defense Role
The potential pick of Turner, a former newspaper director and executive at CMPC Companies, has sparked discussion given his experience in La Araucanía, a region grappling with rural violence.
- Turner has directed several prominent Chilean newspapers, including Financial Diary, Pulse, and The Third.
- He participated in the Army Reserve Officer Candidate Course (CAOR) in 2009, achieving the rank of second lieutenant.
- His decade-long tenure at CMPC Companies provided him with firsthand knowledge of the challenges in La Araucanía.
- Sources indicate the incoming administration favors a civilian leader for the Defense portfolio.
Multiple sources confirm Turner is on the list of candidates to lead the defense ministry when the new government takes office on March 11. Individuals close to the future administration suggest he currently has strong momentum for the position, surpassing even Johannes Kaiser of the National Libertarian Party, who was also considered a strong contender.
The preference within the incoming administration leans towards appointing a civilian to the Defense portfolio, rather than a former member of the armed forces. Turner, who has not previously held public office, reportedly does not aspire to a long-term political career.
From Newsrooms to the Forestry Industry
Turner’s background is diverse. He previously served as director of Capital magazine and founded the newspaper Pulso. He led La Tercera between 2013 and 2016 and held leadership positions at the National Press Association (ANP) and the Federation of Social Communication Media of Chile. In 2016, he joined CMPC, a major forestry company, during the presidency of Luis Felipe Gazitúa.
At CMPC, Turner served as corporate affairs manager, a role that brought him into close contact with the challenges facing La Araucanía. Over the past decade, he visited areas affected by rural violence, engaging in conversations with Mapuche leaders, local farmers, and deployed military personnel. This experience provided him with valuable insights into defense-related issues, which the new administration finds appealing.
Turner was first contacted by José Antonio Kast’s team after the first round of the presidential election in November and has since held meetings with them. He left CMPC seven months after Bernardo Larraín Matte succeeded Gazitúa as president of the company. As of December 1, Turner has been an associate director at Feedback Comunicaciones, according to his LinkedIn profile.
His participation in the Army Reserve Officer Candidate Course (CAOR) in 2009 earned him the rank of second lieutenant, though he ceased active participation in Army activities due to scheduling conflicts and his commitments to leading media organizations until 2016.
While his appointment is expected to be confirmed on February 20, when the full cabinet is announced, those familiar with Turner suggest he aims to strengthen public perception of the Armed Forces and develop a new Defense Policy, potentially discarding a document currently being prepared by the outgoing government. This new policy would draw inspiration from defense strategies adopted by countries like the United States, Great Britain, and Australia.
