MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Pompeo and Uruguay president elect Lacalle Pou look forward to a closer partnership

Pompeo tweeted that ”the US looks forward to developing a closer partnership with Uruguay based on our commitment to expand economic prosperity and strengthen democratic institutions and security in t

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke on Monday to Uruguayan president-elect Luis Lacalle Pou to congratulate him on his November 24 presidential election victory and to discuss expanding bilateral economic engagement and deeper political cooperation.

Following the exchange Pompeo twitted that “the US looks forward to developing a closer partnership with Uruguay based on our commitment to expand economic prosperity and strengthen democratic institutions and security in the region”.

Good call today with the President-elect @LuisLacallePou. The U.S. looks forward to developing a closer partnership with #Uruguay based on our commitment to expand economic prosperity and strengthen democratic institutions and security in the region.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 6, 2020

According to a release from the office of Lacalle Pou, the president elect suggested to Pompeo the possibility of advancing in a free trade treaty, be it “bilateral or through Mercosur”. However Lacalle Pou later said that it was a suggestion he had put forward which Pompeo promised to consider, but that was all.

He also tweeted that “I am glad about our conversation today. We look forward to strengthen our relationship between our nations”.

I am glad about our conversation today. We look forward to strengthen our relationship between our nations. https://t.co/5lIaZCQwiQ

— Luis Lacalle Pou (@LuisLacallePou) January 6, 2020

The State Department said that “Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Uruguayan President-elect Luis Lacalle Pou to congratulate him on his victory in the November 24 presidential elections. Secretary Pompeo and President-elect Pou discussed expanding bilateral economic engagement and deeper cooperation on resolving the Maduro-made humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. The United States looks forward to developing a closer partnership with Uruguay based on our shared commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and security in the region”.

Contrary to the last three administrations under presidents Tabare Vazquez and Jose Mujica which have been closely aligned with the Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro regimes, be it for ideological, personal or business reasons, president elect Lacalle Pou and his coalition, consider the current government of president Maduro a dictatorship which has eliminated oppositions parties, gagged the media and openly violated human rights plus causing a worsening humanitarian crisis. Likewise as the elect president suggested, he is clearly open to a trade agreement with the US, either bilaterally or through the regional customs union of Mercosur.

In a further tweet the State Department spokesperson said that Pompeo has expressed his appreciation for Uruguay’s long commitment to democracy, rule of law, and sound economic policies.