MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Former Chilean president burgled in Punta del Este

Thieves broke into the house where former Chilean president Ricardo Lagos was vacationing in the exclusive Uruguayan resort of Punta del Este approximately two weeks ago, reported Friday the Montevideo press.

Apparently the thieves broke in during an evening absence of the Lagos family on February 13. According to the Uruguayan press the thieves among other valuables hoisted a lap top and an palm agenda belonging to Mr. Lagos son. Punta del Este Police did not deny the incident that was kept in the dark. But Mr. Lagos was not the only distinguished visitor victim of thieves. The local press reports that the Tourism delegate from the neighboring state of Rio Grand do Sul alos suffered a similar robbery in his house when absent. Punta del Este is Uruguay's main international resort and in summer months receives thousands of Argentine and Brazilian visitors plus many members from the international jet set who arrive looking for privacy, security and the discretion with which their presence is usually handled. However this has been a bad public relations season. To the burglary of the former Chilean president must be added another incident at the beginning of February. The house on the beach of an Argentine solicitor and former banker was sacked by four burglars who stripped the safe and went off with over half a million US dollars in jewels and collection watches.