Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font landed in Montevideo Monday in what is his first visit to Uruguay since taking office. He held meetings with like-minded President-elect Yamandú Orsi and former head of State José Pepe Mujica, among other local leaders to discuss how to further strengthen regional integration.
Seven foreign ministers gave a statement condemning the Rwanda-backed M23 offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the capture of Minova, Saké and Goma, endangering civilians and attacking UN peace keeping forces. Uruguayan forces, which are part of the UN peace keeping efforts, have suffered several casualties.
Uruguay's President-elect Yamandú Orsi announced that he will not be occupying the Suárez y Reyes Residence after taking office on March 1 but would rather stay at his current domicile in Salinas. “With my family, we already solved some things, like staying there in Salinas. My children are moving on to another stage,” he added regarding their attending high school.
Japanese autopart makers Yazaki announced the closure of its two plants in Uruguay citing rising costs, leaving thousands jobless, it was reported in Montevideo. Some 1,200 workers have been affected by the measure. The plants in Las Piedras and Colonia, which had been operating since 2007, represented 300 and 900 jobs respectively. Yazaki's presence in the region will be shifting to Argentina and Paraguay.
The collapse of Conexión Ganadera, one of Uruguay's leading cattle investment firms, has left hundreds of savers in suspense after it was revealed that its financial model operated as a Ponzi scheme. This was stated by accountant Ricardo Giovio, hired by the company to evaluate its situation.
The company to pick up the baton from Pluna as Uruguay's flag airline was launched Tuesday during a press conference at Montevideo's Carrasco International Airport. SUA (Sociedad Uruguaya de Aviación) intends to position the air terminal as a regional logistics hub by reducing flight times and costs to destinations in Mercosur and Chile, it was explained.
Uruguay's National Computer Security Incident Response Center (CERTUY) issued a report Monday in Montevideo stating that 14,264 attacks were reported last year, a significant increase from the 4,968 incidents in 2023. Most cases consisted of phishing, followed by unauthorized access to systems, malware installation, intrusion attempts, and proactive breaches of state systems.
Various UN peacekeeping troops were killed this weekend in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the rebel M23 made territorial gains. One Uruguayan was among the dead and another was reported stable, albeit in a critical condition. Three others were wounded. In addition to the Uruguayan casualty, the UN troops also confirmed the killing of two South African soldiers. At least 13 peacekeepers fell last week.
The company willing to pick up Pluna's legacy as Uruguay's flag carrier will be making a series of announcements next week at Montevideo's Carrasco International Airport, just one year after revealing its plans. SUA (Sociedad Uruguaya de Aviación) is to start operations through a wet lease of airBaltic Airbus A220 aircraft, thus becoming the first airline in Latin America and the Caribbean to choose the Canadian-built narrow-body twin jet.
Argentina's Libertarian Government Wednesday announced the appointment of career Ambassador Alan Claudio Béraud as the new mission chief before Uruguay. Béraud is already stationed in Montevideo, where he heads Argentina's representations before the Southern Comon Market (Mercosur) and the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI).