Tobías Barros Ortíz (15 October 1894 – 25 August 1995) was a Chilean politician who served as a minister.
Early life Barros was the son of General Tobías Barros Merino and Julia Ortiz García. From 1902 to 1906, he studied at the Instituto Nacional. In 1908, he studied at the Royal School in Vienna. He graduated as an artillery officer in 1912 and became a lieutenant in 1915.
He served in artillery regiments as well as at the cavalry and aviation schools. He was subsequently sent to Germany, where he attended several specialist courses with the Reichswehr. He later commanded the Chorrillos Regiment in Talca. On 23 January 1925, he became secretary of the Government Junta. He was promoted to colonel in 1933.
From 1934 to 1938, Barros served as Chilean military attaché in Peru. He also headed the census office in Tacna in preparation for a proposed plebiscite that ultimately did not take place. He was temporarily retired from the Army in 1937.
Marriage and children Barros married Carmen Raquel Alfonso Cavada. They had two children, actress Carmen Barros and Tobías Barros Alfonso.
Public career In 1938, Barros founded and led the Alianza Popular to support General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo's presidential candidacy. He was recalled to active military service that year before permanently retiring from the Army in 1940.
During World War II, Barros served as Chilean ambassador to Germany from 20 July 1940 to 20 January 1943. He returned to Chile in 1944 and became secretary-general of the National Agricultural Society in 1946. From 1952 to 1953, he served as Chilean ambassador to Italy.
During the second government of President Carlos Ibáñez del Campo, Barros held several cabinet positions between 1954 and 1956.
He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1954, Minister of National Defense from 1954 to 1955, and Minister of Public Education from 1955 to 1956. He also served as Minister of Public Works.
From 1961 to 1969, Barros served as secretary-general of the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific.
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