Parraguez Galarce was born on 24 May 1943 in Pichilemu, in current Cardenal Caro Province, Region of O'Higgins, Chile.
[4] Gustavo Parraguez Galarce apparently succeeded Carlos Rojas Pavez as the municipal secretary of Pichilemu, after the latter was elected Mayor of the commune, in 1967.
[6] There were several unsuccessful attempts to choose a mayor,[7] until 23 November 2007, when the councilors elected Marcelo Cabrera Martínez as the successor of Rojas González.
Parraguez was chosen as one of the "Persons of the Year of 2008" by local newspaper El Expreso de la Costa, in December 2008.
Parraguez was described as "conducting the municipality [as interim mayor] with special care, as he perfectly knows the different administrative processes because of his experience years and the studies he has had, being totally apt for the office.