MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguayan lawmaker Jaime Trobo, a good friend of the Falklands dies at 62

In 2013 Trobo visited the Falklands as an observer of the historic referendum in which the Islands overwhelmingly decided to remain as a BOT

Uruguayan lawmaker Jaime Trobo, a good friend of the Falklands' people and who visited the Islands in several occasions died this week at the age of 62 after a long battle with cancer. Trobo was first elected a Montevideo Councillor for the National Party in 1984, when Uruguay emerged from eleven years of military dictatorship.

In 1989 he became a member of the Lower House where he remained re-elected five times, and from 2000 to 2002 was Minister of Sports under the coalition government of president Jorge Batlle. He presided over the Lower House on a couple of periods and was chairman of several parliamentary commissions. He represented Uruguay at the World Inter-parliamentary Union.

Trobo rapidly became a reference figure in the National party's main group Herrerismo, led by Luis Alberto Lacalle, who was president between 1989 and 1994. The National Party since the Broad Front coalition took office in 2005, became the main opposition force.

In 2013, he travelled to the Falklands as an observer of the historic referendum in which the Falklands' people with a record turnout and virtually unanimously voted to remain as a British Overseas Territory. Since then on several occasions, and despite his political party supports Argentina's claim over the Islands, Jaime rose in Uruguay's parliament to speak favourably of the Falklands, its people, and the long standing historic links between Montevideo and the Islands, which he strongly recommended should be resumed.

UK ambassador in Uruguay Ian Duddy remembered Trobo's efforts to improve links and trade between Uruguay an the Falklands. He tweeted: “Very sad to hear of the death of Jaime Trobo. He was a good friend to the UK. Our condolences to his family. RIP”.

The Falkland's Legislative Assembly also sent their condolences to the Trobo family and parliamentary staff.

Given his long legislative career, members of all Uruguayan political parties attended his funeral and had words of praise for his gentleman character, good humour and bridge building efforts. The presidential candidate of Uruguay's ruling coalition for next October's general election, Daniel Martínez, with whom Trobo attended high school recalled their friendship. “Jaime has left us, a lifelong friend and pal at high school. Despite our political differences we always privileged dialogue and constructing. RIP, a strong hug to his family”.

Trobo travelled to Spain for medical treatment, and was last seen publicly at the Uruguayan primaries last 30 June when political parties elected their candidates for the October presidential election.

He is survived by his wife Ana Bidegain, three daughters and two grandchildren.