
Uruguayan overall exports fell sharply in June for the second straight month this year, as reported in Montevideo. The new decrease in foreign sales was mainly explained by the negative variations in soybean and beef sales.

Argentina's Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero Monday stressed that the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU) is hindered by what he called the “asymmetries” between the two blocs.

Paraguayan Foreign Minister Julio César Arriola Monday called for a more effective and efficient Mercosur during the bloc's two-day summit in Puerto Iguazu in the Argentine province of Misiones.

Uruguayan Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo Monday told his Mercosur colleagues in Puerto Iguazú that “from the first day we warned that Mercosur had been won over by immobility” and insisted no progress regarding deals with other countries or blocs had been achieved during Argentina's pro tempore presidency of the alliance ending Tuesday.

After receiving a request for help from the Chinese freighter “Sumatera Express,” the Uruguayan Navy evacuated a crewman who had suffered convulsions and loss of consciousness, providing him with the necessary medical assistance, it was reported Sunday in Montevideo.

Retired Uruguayan Colonel Eduardo Ferro was sentenced Monday to 21 years in jail for the July 21, 1977, disappearance and murder of Communist militant Óscar Tassino, it was reported in Montevideo.

Uruguayan authorities finally decided Wednesday that primary school pupils will have a two-week winter recess between July 3 and July 14 in a move to curb the contagion of respiratory diseases that have caused at least two deaths so far, it was reported in Montevideo. Plans to hold online classes that had been evaluated earlier this week have been dropped.

According to a study published on Wednesday by the Institute for Economics and Peace, Colombia and Venezuela have been considered the “least peaceful” countries in Latin America due to socio-political conflicts and internal violence.

Uruguayan authorities Tuesday decided that, effective July 3, schooling nationwide will be online for the next two weeks before winter break, due to the increase of respiratory infections in the general population and especially in children, it was reported in Montevideo.

On a cold and foggy night, the Parliament of Uruguay held a commemorative session on Monday to mark the 50th anniversary of the civic-military dictatorship that took place in the country from 1973 to 1985.