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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, August 30th 2025 - 03:55 UTC

Uruguay

  • Thursday, July 31st 2025 - 09:00 UTC

    Uruguayan court sentences Iranian traveling on a fake passport to 3 months in jail

    In a separate court ruling, two former military officers were convicted of crimes against humanity

    An Iranian citizen has been sentenced to three months in prison in Uruguay for entering the country with a fake Israeli passport. The man had previously been deported from El Salvador, where he also used the forged document.

  • Thursday, July 31st 2025 - 08:23 UTC

    Uruguay investigates youth detention center over alleged torture and abuse

    Uruguay’s human rights institution confirmed that it found “violations of the rights of youth,” especially regarding interpersonal violence, prolonged confinement, and inadequate infrastructure

    Two deputy directors of the Centro Las Piedras—a facility within Uruguay’s juvenile justice system—have been removed from their posts following serious allegations of violence and potential torture against adolescents in custody, Búsqueda weekly reported.

  • Wednesday, July 30th 2025 - 20:31 UTC

    Uruguay: Concerning surge in syphilis reported

    Social gaps and reckless practices contribute to the spread of the disease

    Uruguayan health authorities reported a concerning surge in syphilis cases, with reported figures nearly doubling from around 3,566 in 2020 to between 7,035 and 7,091 in 2024. This increase is reflected in the incidence rate, which jumped from 101 to 196 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Males are disproportionately affected, and over 50% of diagnoses are in the 18-29 age group. Social inequalities exacerbate the problem, with vulnerable populations having limited access to healthcare and essential resources.

  • Wednesday, July 30th 2025 - 10:51 UTC

    Uruguay reverts to previous passport version after all

    The decision was made after Germany and France needed “more time” to evaluate the case, leaving travelers in a limbo

    Uruguay's Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs announced on Tuesday that they are reverting to the previous version of the national passport, effective August 1. This decision comes after the new passport format, introduced on April 16, faced difficulties with long-stay visa approvals in several countries, notably Germany and France.

  • Tuesday, July 29th 2025 - 10:30 UTC

    HSBC sells out operations in Uruguay to leading Brazilian bank

    BTG Pactual is already present in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina

    Brazilian bank BTG Pactual has acquired the Uruguayan operations of British bank HSBC for US$175 million, marking BTG Pactual's entry into Uruguay and HSBC's exit from the market as part of its global restructuring strategy. The deal, announced on Monday, includes both equity and additional capital instruments and is subject to regulatory approvals.

  • Monday, July 28th 2025 - 09:41 UTC

    Uruguay and Chile strengthen cooperation regarding human rights violations

    Casablanca met with Quintanilla in Santiago

    Uruguay and Chile advanced their collaboration on policies related to memory, truth, and justice regarding past human rights violations.

  • Saturday, July 26th 2025 - 10:45 UTC

    Uruguay ups border security over Iran-Israel conflict concerns

    Following recent incidents, Orsi ordered tighter security measures

    Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi warned local political leaders of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel and confirmed that border controls have been reinforced after the arrest of an Iranian citizen who entered Uruguay with a forged passport, raising security concerns.

  • Friday, July 25th 2025 - 09:07 UTC

    Uruguay's palm trees under attack by bug foreign to the region

    Rhynchophorus ferrugineus stems from Asia and has not been found anywhere else in South America (Pic ORT)

    Uruguay's iconic palm trees are facing a severe threat from the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), an invasive pest from Southeast Asia. First detected in Uruguay in 2022, the insect has rapidly spread, devouring thousands of trees and alarming authorities.

  • Thursday, July 24th 2025 - 16:36 UTC

    Uruguay detains and sentences Iranian national for entering with fake Israeli passport

    The individual reportedly arrived from Brazil between June 12 and 13, and then traveled from Montevideo to El Salvador on June 14

    An Iranian citizen has been sentenced to prison in Uruguay after attempting to enter the country using a fake Israeli passport, according to reporting this Thursday by the weekly Búsqueda. The incident took place in the context of recent hostilities between Iran, Israel, and the United States — a period referred to by Washington as the “12-day war.”

  • Thursday, July 24th 2025 - 08:47 UTC

    Former Uruguayan military officer convicted in 1974 case

    Other suspects died before conviction, but Rebollo was held to account for the Girls of April raid

    Former Uruguayan military officer Juan Rebollo has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role as co-perpetrator in the aggravated murders of Diana Maidanic (22), Laura Raggio (19), and Silvia Reyes (19), a case historically known as “The Girls of April.” The ruling, handed down by Judge Isaura Tórtora of the 23rd Criminal Court, aligns with the maximum penalty requested by the prosecutor specializing in crimes against humanity, Ricardo Perciballe.