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Uruguayan president believes Argentine economy “can’t remain closed much longer”

Thursday, January 3rd 2013 - 00:40 UTC
Full article 14 comments

President Jose Mujica anticipated that the Argentine economy can’t remain ‘closed for much more time’ (protectionist) and forecasted that 2013 will be a ‘clear year’ for Uruguay regarding economic issues. Read full article

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  • Shed-time

    Clearly it can remain closed a lot longer, just like in North Korea.

    It's that simple.

    Jan 03rd, 2013 - 09:09 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Be serious

    How can Mercosur exist in its present form if Argentina can close its economy/markets.
    And I thought the EU wasn't very good.

    Jan 03rd, 2013 - 01:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Condorito

    Shed,
    Mujica is right, it can’t remain closed. The curtailment of economic freedom has started to bite in Argentina, forcing people to find their own ways round the restrictions. “Tourist” arrivals of Argies in to Chile increased 29% in 2012. Half of all foreigners arriving in Chile are now from Argentina. They are basically getting around the import restrictions by doubling up their holidays with an annual durable goods shopping spree. The ones I have spoken to say that food and accommodation here is expensive for them but all the electronic goods are much less expensive and more readily available than in Argentina.

    Traditionally when the exchange rate is unfavourable for the Argies, they just don’t come, whereas now they are coming in greater numbers than ever, despite the cost because they just can’t get essentials back home. With millions of Argies prepared to cross the border to buy what they need, CFK’s measures will fail. The imports will arrive, the dollars will leave, just in an extraordinarily inefficient manner.

    If CKF wants to take it to the next level she will have to restrict the movement of people and that isn’t going to happen.

    Jan 03rd, 2013 - 02:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • redpoll

    condorito
    First almost nobody believes anything that Pepe says anymore
    As for restricting the movement of people they tried that on us and blocked the international bridges for many months

    Jan 03rd, 2013 - 03:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    I wonder how much longer Uruguay can continue to survive given its association and subservience to argieland. When argieland finally dies, likely within the next few years, we should not forget to treat Uruguay with the contempt it deserves. Mujica is, of course, a pitiful, senile old man. But ordinary Uruguayans WILL have to suffer in retribution for electing him in the first place and, subsequently, for allowing him to stay in power. I suggest that a period of 10 years without any trade and the repudiation or suspension of any treaties might teach Uruguayans to take responsibility.

    Jan 03rd, 2013 - 03:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Shed-time

    I guess what I was trying to say was that Argentina can, and often does do exactly what it likes with no consideration for the consequences. It signs commitments here and there (Treaty of Perfect Friendship) and then ignores it (1982 war of aggression). As 'be' is suggesting It creates misery for everyone in Mercosur by having naught but import tariffs whilst calling on everyone within their trade zone to deliver unto them the Falklands.

    If Mujica's only political lever is to suggest that Uruguay just sits there waiting for Argentina to stop being Argentine, then I'm guessing he's the wrong man for the job. If you have to make a suit out of a piece of cloth, you do it or find a better bit of cloth. You don't sit there waiting for the cloth to get better or bigger

    As for restricting the movement of people, it's only a matter of time before they start wheeling out internal passports for that very purpose.

    Jan 03rd, 2013 - 03:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • redpoll

    You advocating a military coup Conks?

    Jan 03rd, 2013 - 03:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Condorito

    Just sayin, on this point Mujica is right. Argie can't continue to close itself off - the policies are failing and the people won't take it much longer.

    Jan 03rd, 2013 - 04:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Shed-time

    ... but La Campora with their sticks and guns can take it a lot longer.

    Jan 03rd, 2013 - 05:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    Conqueror

    Been on the bottle again, you are back to posting absolute shit?

    We are 3M people (yes, I took part in the census of 2011, so my wife and me are part of the 3M), less than half that of London.

    Would you expect half of London to subjugate two thirds of the UK? FFS get real; you are giving the rest of us a reputation for idiocy.

    And how should we police your idiocy and what retribution do you suggest we take against you?

    My post is as idiotic as yours, to hopefully bring you to your senses.

    Jan 04th, 2013 - 09:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @7 A military coup by whom? The Uruguayan armed forces are a joke. But it would be easy for the Uruguayan people to take over. Just get outside Mujica's place and shout. Brandish scissors so he knows he's in for a forced haircut. He'd run.
    @10 3,318,535 actually. So what you're admitting is that you have no guts. Mujica is ONE man. Too many for you?

    Perhaps you should “think” about what Britain achieved in its history. Here's just a little example. In 1808, a British army landed in Portugal to free it from French occupation. It comprised approximately 15,000 men. It faced a French imperial army of 100,000. It won and the French were ejected. By October of that year, the British army had increased to 25,000, had entered Spain and were facing a French imperial army of more than 200,000. Get the picture? WE don't say “We can't.” We just get on and do it. Hey, do you remember the Falklands in 1982? British forces were far less than those of argieland. Remember how we only sent 28 Harriers? But the argies lost over 100 aircraft. Remember how many prisoners we took when the argies surrendered? 11,313. Essentially, with 2 battalions of the Parachute Regiment and some artillery.

    In your state of laissez-faire cowardice, have you forgotten who was instrumental in bringing your country into existence? We shouldn't have bothered.

    You won't have to “police” anything. If you'd actually read my comment, you'd know that I see you being cut off. Isolated. You want to support your LatAm “friends”? Go ahead. You're no “friends” of ours. Just part of the enemy. A gutless part of the enemy. I have no time for fence-sitters. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

    You can't take any “retribution” against us. You have nothing we want. You are insignificant. Useless. Pointless.

    I am not one of those “to understand all is to forgive all” types. I am more the “If they are not for us, kill them.” types. Make your will, coward.

    Jan 05th, 2013 - 12:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ProRG_American

    I respect “Pepe” very much both as President and as an individual, but I think that his obsession with the legalization of cannibus has put him a out of step from reality lately. Lay off the weed for a while Mr. President.

    Jan 05th, 2013 - 12:25 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • redpoll

    Eh by gum conks Whats tha been on? warever it be, its got thee in a right lather.
    I am perfectly aware of the fact that Great Britain came to the aid of her oldest ally Portugal, a bunch of Dagoes dotcha know wot speaks Portuguese. I am also aware of the fact that Wellington considered his Portuguese troops among the best he had and which were sorely missed at Waterloo
    So you are an expert on the Pensinsular War. Well look up the battle of Arroyo dos Molinos The colours and drums captured from the 34ieme regiment of French foot are still in Carlisle Castle as far as I know though the French keep asking for them back. Bit like the argentines really

    Jan 05th, 2013 - 01:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    11 Conqueror

    I do not need lectures from a retired bent copper with serious mental health problems about the British Army or British Navy and I love the fact you spout this nonsense from the safety of the UK with a population of 63 Million and counting due to the Muslims breeding like the vermin they are.

    The rest of us live in the present time and have to deal with the problems of the present, the main one for Uruguay is TMBOA and the second one is Pepe. I KNOW this from LIVING HERE.

    The second one will be settled relatively soon, the first one is ever present it seems given that argies insist on electing robbing bastards for their presidents.

    So leave the security of the UK (as I did almost 2 years ago) and come to the lovely country of Uruguay and we will soon see how YOU cope.

    Jan 05th, 2013 - 11:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0

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