Momentum is building up in Montevideo as the presence of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen seems to herald the imminent signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) as Brussels needs to halt China's commercial expansion in the region while Donald Trump's return to the White House looms over.
Montevideo will host the XLV Mercosur Summit on 5-6 December, bringing together South American leaders to discuss pressing regional issues. Outgoing Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou will chair the meeting, along with Argentina's Javier Milei, Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Paraguay's Santiago Peña. Uruguay's President-elect Yamandú Orsi will also attend.
Argentine President Javier Milei will attend the Mercosur summit in Montevideo on December 5-6, advocating for the bloc’s members to gain the freedom to sign independent trade agreements. This marks a departure from Mercosur’s traditional collective bargaining stance but stops short of proposing an exit from the bloc.
Uruguay's President-elect Yamandú Orsi did not rule out inviting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro over to his inauguration during his first press conference after winning the runoff against Álvaro Delgado of the ruling Multicolor coalition. However, the former Mayor (Governor) of Canelones admitted some diplomatic difficulties with Caracas that he hoped to work out. In any case, he insisted that relations are between States and not between presidents. At any rate, the issue will be seen when the time comes, he added.
Uruguay has elected Yamandú Orsi of the Frente Amplio (FA) as its next president, bringing the left back to power after five years of conservative rule. Orsi secured 49.8% of the vote against 45.9% for Álvaro Delgado of the National Party, a margin of 92,000 votes, according to official results. The outgoing president, Luis Lacalle Pou, promptly congratulated Orsi, stating he was ready to facilitate a smooth transition.
Representatives of Uruguay's Government as well as the opposition got together Monday to commemorate the infamous Night of Broken Glass perpetrated by Nazi Germany on Nov. 9-10, 1938, which was rekindled by last week's pogrom against Israeli football fans in Amsterdam.
Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, months from completing his term, hinted at a possible return in the 2029 presidential election but left the door open.
As Uruguayans head to the polls this October 27 to elect their president, vice-president, and Parliament, preliminary reports from the Electoral Court indicate a steady turnout. By midday, 40% of the 2,727,120 eligible voters had cast their ballots across the country's 7,276 polling circuits. Voting is mandatory in Uruguay, with those abstaining required to pay a fine or present a valid excuse, such as illness, disability, or international travel.
Uruguayans will head to the polls on October 27 to elect a successor to President Luis Lacalle Pou and renew the country's Parliament. According to the latest surveys, no candidate is expected to secure the required 50% of votes, setting the stage for a November runoff.
Just a few days after the first domestic flight within Uruguay operated by Paraguayan carrier Paranair between Montevideo and Salto, President Luis Lacalle Pou Monday inaugurated the new international airport at the city of Melo, which showed the Multicolor coalition's commitment to developing and strengthening the country's air connectivity. The terminal's remodeling was part of the operations of the National System of International Airports and had a cost of US$ 12 million.