Pedro Varela Sabando

Pedro Raúl Varela Sabando (born 1968) is a Chilean Army general who has served as Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army since 9 March 2026. He was appointed to the position by President Gabriel Boric in November 2025, succeeding General Javier Iturriaga del Campo.

Early life and military education

Varela was born in Chiguayante, Chile, in 1968. He attended the Colegio San Agustín de Concepción before entering the Bernardo O'Higgins Military Academy in 1986. He graduated in 1988 with the rank of ensign.

Varela is a qualified staff officer and has also specialised in commando operations, military parachuting and military intelligence. He has served as a military instructor at both school and academy level. He holds a degree in Military Sciences and a master's degree in Strategic Planning and Management from the Chilean Army War Academy.

Military career

In 2020, while holding the rank of brigadier general, Varela was appointed director of intelligence of the Chilean Army, where he was involved in the development of the Army's cyber-defence capabilities.

He subsequently held a number of senior appointments in Chile and abroad. He served as head of the Chilean military mission in the United States, and after returning to Chile became commander of Special Operations and commander of the Joint Northern Command, with responsibilities covering Chile's northern border regions.

In 2024, Varela was promoted to major general and appointed commander of Land Operations. In this position, he was responsible for the planning and direction of the operational readiness of the Army's land forces.

Commander-in-Chief of the Army

On 10 November 2025, President Gabriel Boric announced Varela's appointment as the next Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army for the 2026–2030 term, succeeding General Javier Iturriaga del Campo.

Varela formally assumed command on 9 March 2026. The change-of-command ceremony was held at the Bernardo O'Higgins Military Academy in Santiago, in the presence of civilian and military authorities.

As commander-in-chief, Varela has identified three principal priorities for the Army: border control, particularly in response to irregular migration in Chile's northern regions; technological modernisation in intelligence and cyber-defence; and strengthening public confidence in the Army within Chile's democratic institutional framework.

Military ranks

Varela's promotions in the Chilean Army include:

• 1986: Cadet
• 1988: Ensign
• 2014: Colonel
• 2020: Brigadier general
• 2024: Major general
• 2026: Army general