Uruguay

• Wednesday, March 19th 2014 - 07:30 UTC

  A Vazquez victory forecasted in Uruguay but with 'orthodox economics' threatened

  

  The Economist Intelligence Unit anticipates a 2015 scenario in which Tabaré Vazquez from the ruling coalition will most probably be president, but in a situation quite different from that of his first mandate (2005/2010) if he insists in implementing orthodox economics.

• Wednesday, March 19th 2014 - 07:07 UTC

  Mercosur has been 'a good deal' for Uruguay, 'it could have been better'

  

  President Jose Mujica said that Mercosur even with all its problems “has been a good deal” although it “could have been better”, and it is imperative that the group signs trade agreements with Europe and China, which has become the main trade partner of the region.

• Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 06:41 UTC

  Unasur delegation begins dialogue-contacts next week to help with Venezuelan situation

  

  Uruguayan foreign minister Luis Almagro confirmed that next week a delegation from Unasur (Union of South American Nations) will be ready to sponsor dialogue and help de-compress the situation in Venezuela as was agreed at the recent foreign ministers meeting held in Santiago de Chile when the inauguration of president Michelle Bachelet.

• Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 08:25 UTC

  Despite inflation Astori argues that cutting government spending is not the solution

  

  It is a mistake to blame government expenditure for the increase of prices, as is the concept that inflation can be defeated by cutting government spending, said Uruguayan Vice-president and economist Danilo Astori, who argued that in many cases these funds are essential to finance public investments and social policies.

• Saturday, March 15th 2014 - 08:13 UTC

  Uruguay combats inflation with price agreements and reducing taxes on public utilities rates

  

  The Uruguayan government finalized on Friday a prices agreement with commerce and trade organizations to help bring down the third highest inflation of the region which is advancing at an almost two-digit pace. The package is to be completed with government fiscal 'sacrifice' such as the elimination of taxes on some public utilities rates.

• Friday, March 14th 2014 - 09:00 UTC

  Farm land sales in Uruguay last year totaled a record 1.3bn dollars

  

  Farm land sales in Uruguay totaled a record 1.3bn dollars in 2013, involving 1.868 operations and 370.927 hectares, which is 10% more than in 2012, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food ministry's Stats Office, DIEA. Uruguay's farmland covers approximately 17 million hectares and the most dynamic buyers are the pensions funds, says the report.

• Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 22:51 UTC

  UK prefers to discuss Malvinas with Massa or Macri says Swire, according to Telam

  

  British Minister of State for the Foreign Office Hugo Swire has stated London would rather sit at the negotiating table with Argentine opposition presidential hopefuls Sergio Massa or Mauricio Macri to discuss Falklands/Malvinas Islands sovereignty.

• Thursday, March 13th 2014 - 05:52 UTC

  Falklands, trade, Mercosur/EU, oil and gas, in Swire's agenda in Uruguay

  

  Bilateral trade, Mercosur/EU talks, oil and gas cooperation, and Falkland Islands, plus some audacious comments on the coming World Cup match Uruguay/England, were some of the issues addressed by Foreign Office minister for Latin-American Hugo Swire during his one day visit to Uruguay on Wednesday.

• Tuesday, March 11th 2014 - 06:19 UTC

  UN anti-drugs chief says 'legalization' is not a solution and points to Uruguay

  

  Legalization will not solve the world's narcotics problem, the UN anti-drugs chief said on Monday, indicating disagreement with a decision by Uruguay to allow the growing, sale and smoking of marijuana.

• Tuesday, March 11th 2014 - 05:52 UTC

  A '99% chance' that Venezuela's Maduro visits Uruguay later this week

  

  Despite strong criticism from the opposition the Uruguayan government said it is prepared to receive Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on an official visit, and there is a 99% chance that this could occur next Thursday, said foreign minister Luis Almagro.