Electo Álvarez was born in Chile. His engagement with poetry began at an early age, providing solace following the death of his parents. On his arrival in Australia in 1973, he settled in Sydney.

In the early 1990s Álvarez was President of the 'Grupo de Aspiraciones Literarias de Cabramatta', whose work appeared in two anthologies and was broadcast on Radio Austral, a community radio. He was also President of the Association of Chilean Writers of Australia which organised poetry contests and the monthly publication of a literary magazine titled 'Escribiendo'. However, since 2004, due to illness, Álvarez has no longer been able to participate in the activities of the Association.

Álvarez's work has been published in Spanish language newspapers and magazines in Australia, and in anthologies. (From Over the Horizon, p. 45, and Under a Southern Sky, p. 9)