Pedro Vignola
Pedro Vignola Cortés (8 July 1879 – 29 June 1941) was a Chilean Army general who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army from September 1932 to December 1933.
Early life
Vignola was born in Copiapó, Chile, on 8 July 1879. He married Alicia Reslie Barrón, with whom he had four children.
Military career
Vignola began his military career in 1899, when he entered the Military Academy as a cadet. He graduated the following year as an artillery ensign and was assigned to the Coastal Artillery Regiment.
As a lieutenant, Vignola served with the Horse Artillery Regiment, the 4th Artillery Regiment Miraflores, and the Army Non-Commissioned Officers School. He was subsequently assigned to a military mission in Colombia.
After returning to Chile, Vignola was assigned to the 1st Artillery Regiment Tacna. Between 1918 and 1920, he studied at the Chilean Army War Academy and was promoted to major. He later taught at the War Academy and the Artillery School and, in 1926, became director of the Application School.
Following his promotion to colonel, Vignola returned to the Artillery School as an instructor and also headed the Army's Artillery Department. In 1931, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the I Army Division, headquartered in Antofagasta, and was promoted to brigadier general.
Antofagasta movement of 1932
In September 1932, Chile was experiencing a period of severe political instability following a succession of military interventions and short-lived governments. In Antofagasta, representatives of local professional, commercial, labour and civic organizations formed a committee advocating the restoration of constitutional government and an end to military involvement in partisan politics.
As commander of the I Army Division, Vignola became involved in the movement. On 26 September, he sent a telegram to the Army high command expressing the division's opposition to further military intervention in government and calling for the rapid restoration of constitutional rule and the holding of elections.
The government of General Bartolomé Blanche responded by ordering Vignola's dismissal and the arrest of the civilian committee's leadership. Blanche appointed General Armando Marín Mujica to replace him as commander of the I Division, but Marín was detained upon arriving in Antofagasta and returned aboard the vessel on which he had travelled. The military garrison at Concepción subsequently declared its support for Vignola.
Amid the widening opposition to his government, Blanche resigned and transferred presidential authority to Abraham Oyanedel. The change of government contributed to the restoration of constitutional civilian rule and the organization of presidential elections later that year.
Vignola subsequently became Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army. In December 1932, he was promoted to General of the Army. He remained commander-in-chief until December 1933, when he retired from active military service.
Vignola died in Santiago, Chile, on 29 June 1941, aged 61.