Zenón Torrealba Ilabaca (9 April 1875 – 10 September 1923) was a Chilean journalist, labor leader and politician.
A member of the Democratic Party, he represented Santiago in the Chamber of Deputies of Chile from 1909 to 1912 and from 1915 to 1918, and subsequently served in the Senate of Chile from 1918 until his assassination in 1923.
He was also Minister of Industry, Public Works and Railways during the first presidency of Arturo Alessandri.
Early life and career Torrealba was born in Curicó on 9 April 1875, the son of José Torrealba and Margarita Ilabaca. He was largely self-educated and pursued a career in journalism.
In 1909, he founded the Democratic Party newspaper La Tribuna, which he directed until 1915. The newspaper advocated positions associated with the party and addressed labor and social policy, including workers' insurance, workplace accident legislation, workers' housing, arbitration in labor disputes and measures concerning alcoholism. Torrealba also served on the Consejo Superior de Habitaciones Obreras.
Political career Torrealba joined the Democratic Party at a young age and remained a member of its leadership until his death. He was also involved in the Sociedad Manuel Rodríguez and the Congreso Social Obrero, serving as president of the latter on several occasions.
He was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for Santiago for the 1909–1912 term. During the parliamentary recess of 1911–1912, he served on the Comisión Conservadora.
Torrealba returned to the Chamber after being elected for Santiago for the 1915–1918 term. He served as a substitute member of the Permanent Commission on Elections and as a member of the Permanent Commissions on Government, Public Assistance and Worship, and Public Works.
In 1918, he was elected to the Senate of Chile for Santiago for the 1918–1924 term. He served as a substitute member of the Permanent Commission on Finance and Municipal Loans and as a member of the Permanent Commissions on Public Works and Colonization and on Government and Elections. He also served on the Comisión Conservadora during the parliamentary recesses of 1919–1920 and 1920–1921.
During the first administration of President Arturo Alessandri, Torrealba was appointed Minister of Industry, Public Works and Railways. He held the portfolio from 23 December 1920 until his resignation on 17 August 1921. During his tenure, the ministry undertook paving and public-building projects as well as irrigation and road works, in part as measures to provide employment for unemployed workers from the nitrate industry.
Death In September 1923, Torrealba defeated Luis Correa Ramírez in an internal Democratic Party contest connected with the party's senatorial candidacy for Santiago. On 10 September, the two met at the National Congress to discuss disputes arising from the internal election.
According to the Library of the National Congress of Chile, Correa attacked Torrealba in a private room of the Chamber of Deputies and then attempted to take his own life. Both men died from their injuries later that day. Torrealba died while still serving as senator, shortly before the scheduled end of his term.
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