Uruguay’s ruling coalition presidential candidate was strongly criticized by President Tabare Vazquez who described many of this comments out of place, and others simply “stupidities”.
Uruguayan president Tabare Vazquez called for an integrated Mercosur with a greater number of countries to make it more competitive overseas, but also demanded greater balance inside the group among members.
“The Kirchners are lefties, but what a left, mamma mia, what a gang!” and Argentina is a country “of hysteric, mad, paranoiac reactions”. The comments belong to Uruguay’s ruling coalition presidential candidate, Jose Mujica and whom opinion polls show him comfortably ahead for next October’s election.
Farm land sales in Uruguay during the first half of 2009 dropped, but the average price for the hectare actually increased 25% compared to the same period a year ago, according to the latest release from the Ministry of Agriculture Statistics Office (DIEA).
Uruguay and the United States expressed concern Tuesday that recent weapons purchases could lead to an arms race in South America. In a joint appearance, Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton also pledged co-operation on trade, scientific research and other fields.
United States Senator Richard Lugar, the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a bill Tuesday to extend US trade benefits to Uruguay. The move he says would increase pressure on Brazil to deepen commercial ties.
The Uruguayan economy performed better than expected in the second quarter of 2009, having advanced 0.5% over the previous quarter and 0.2% over the same period a year ago, according to the latest release from the Central Bank.
Argentina told the International Court of Justice Monday that Uruguayan pollution of a border river was a grave infringement of Argentinean rights. Argentina and Uruguay have been wrangling for years over a giant pulp mill sited on the Uruguay River, which divides the two South American nations.
Uruguay’s incumbent presidential candidate and former Tupamaros guerrilla leader Jose “Pepe” Mujica sent shockwaves both inside the ruling coalition and the opposition as a result of a long controversial Sunday interview with the Buenos Aires daily La Nación.
Argentina begins Monday a round of public hearings before the International Court of The Hague and will be arguing against Uruguay’s alleged unilateral decision to allow the construction of a pulp mill on a jointly managed river and which has been at the heart of a long standing litigation between the neighbouring countries.