José Ignacio de Mendiguren is a prominent Argentine lawyer and industrial entrepreneur, currently serving as a National Deputy. His work is widely recognized for its strong connection to national political and economic matters.
Born on August 23, 1950, he has played a notable role in Argentina’s recent economic and business development, as well as in various governmental reforms over the past decade. Although his primary academic background is in law, he has expanded his professional scope into multiple sectors of economic and agricultural production.
José Ignacio de Mendiguren: Early years and rise to public life
According to family accounts, his father, Bruno de Mendiguren, served as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Spanish Civil War and passed away when José Ignacio was only three months old. Despite this early loss, his father remained a central influence in his life, leading him to study law at the University of Buenos Aires, where he earned his degree at the age of 22.
To complement his legal education, Mendiguren engaged in a variety of professional activities, including advising on foreign investment, working as an artisanal shoe trader, serving as a notary public, managing agricultural production, and investing in sporting goods companies. His political career resumed after the Carlos Menem era, when he was appointed President of the Argentine Industrial Union (UIA) and also led the National Bank of Argentina.
Current phase: Ministry of Production and National Deputy
One of Mendiguren’s most impactful contributions to Argentina’s economy was his support for the devaluation of the peso to boost market competitiveness. This policy continued during his tenure as Minister of Production of the Nation, a role he held from 2002 to 2003.
In 2011, he returned as president of the UIA, during which time he reconciled political differences with then-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. This reconciliation paved the way for his election as National Deputy representing Buenos Aires Province in the 2013 legislative elections, a position he retained following re-election in 2017.