Camilo Escalona, historic pillar of Chilean socialism, dies at 71

Camilo Escalona Medina, a historic figure in Chilean socialism, died at 71 after complications from prostate cancer diagnosed in 2024. The Socialist Party secretary-general and former Senate president died at Clínica Indisa in Providencia.

Escalona had remained in an induced coma as part of his medical treatment. His death came shortly after President José Antonio Kast visited the clinic to meet with the former lawmaker’s family.

His daughter Natalia, who had travelled from Uruguay to accompany him during his final moments, confirmed the death outside the facility. She said the family had lost a father, grandfather, husband, uncle, friend and comrade.

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Our beloved father, grandfather, husband, uncle, friend and comrade Camilo Escalona Medina has died. Despite his strength, the resilience with which he faced the illness and the tenacity with which he lived until the last day, he has left this plane with an example that cannot be matched.

“Our beloved father, grandfather, husband, uncle, friend and comrade Camilo Escalona Medina has died,” Natalia said. She described his resilience in confronting the illness and his determination to live until his final day as an example that could not be matched.

“My father was an irreducible democrat, a socialist,” she added.

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My father was an irreducible democrat, a socialist.