Archive for the ‘Uruguay’ Category
Saturday, May 5th, 2012
The Foreign Minister of Uruguay, Luis Almagro, deems as “too complex” a scenario where Mercosur negociates with the European Union (EU) without the presence of Argentina – an option that Spain is considering – because that “would involve institutional imbalances in the South American bloc.”
Almagro gave this statement, after Argentina’s decision to expropriate 51% of the capital of Spanish controlled oil company YPF.
The Uruguayan foreign minister added that relations between Uruguay and Spain are “very good” and stated that the two countries have “an excellent framework for cooperation.”
Almagro recalled that he visited Madrid last week, and announced that the Vice President Danilo Astori should travel to the European country in order to meet the new authorities of the Spanish government and “resume the bilateral agenda.”
The Chancellor expects the situation between Spain and Argentina to improve and that they find a path of negotiation between the two nations that Uruguay considered as “sisters.”
Monday, April 9th, 2012
The National Assembly of Ecuador approved two agreements with Uruguay and Argentina in the areas of defense and space research/
According to Ansa agency, with 92 votes in favor, the organ ratified the defense alliance between Quito and Montevideo which aims to promote cooperation in military maneuvers, use of military equipment, peacekeeping operations, among others.
According to congressman Fausto Cobo, the agreement contributes to the Latin American integration which is a ”strategic goal” stipulated in the Constitution.
Monday, April 9th, 2012
The rating agency Standard & Poor’s upgraded Uruguay’s debt ratings investment grade.
According to Ansa agency, the bank raised the country’s grade Uruguay from BB + to BBB- with stable outlook.
The Uruguayan government was expecting this recognition from Fitch Ratings and Moody’s for some time now.
Friday, July 10th, 2009
With the end of the primaries, presidential candidates Jose Mujica (Frente Ampla), Luis Lacalle (Partido Nacional) and Pedro Bordaberry (Partido Colorado) will intensify their campaigns. Given the popularity of the Tabare Vazquez administration – 56% approval rating – Mujica enters the race as the favorite. Trying to soften resistance along more conservative sectors, Mujica – a former guerilla leader – has been promising income redistribution policies in conjunction with responsible management of the economy. His candidacy favors Frente Ampla, for he was a critic of the current government at various stages, and is therefore able to sidestep unfavorable opinions regarding the current president, Tabare Vazquez. On the other hand, he is seen as a “radical” by the voters in the center and the right.
Evidence indicates that Mujica’s main opponent will be former president Luis Lacalle, of the Partido Nacional, a member of the opposition. He is the furthest to the right in the Uruguayan political spectrum. Unlike Frente Ampla, which is traditionally more geared towards interventionism, Lacalle’s party hosts more liberal ideas.
Because he disputes the same electorate as the Partido Nacional, Pedro Bordaberry, of the Partido Colorado, will have difficulties in this election. The race is expected to come down to Frente Ampla and Partido Nacional. As the Nacional and Colorado parties should both be in the race in the eventual 2nd round, Frente Ampla’s strategy is to win the election in the first round, so as to avoid risk.
In 2004, in the last presidential dispute, Tabare Vazquez received 50.45% of valid votes and was elected in the 1st round. Partido Nacional came in second place with 34.30% and Partido Colorado came in third with 10.36%.
As was the case that year, the trend is that if Frente Ampla wins in the 1st round, it will be by a small margin. Though it is still early for projections, backstage in the Uruguayan political scene, many feel that if the election heads to the 2nd round, the government coalition can be defeated by Partido Nacional.
Friday, July 10th, 2009
Confirming forecasts from previous studies, Jose Mujica, Luis Lacalle and Pedro Bordaberry were chosen as presidential candidates by their respective parties. In Frente Ampla, Senator Mujica beat the former Minister of the Economy, Danilo Astory by 53.03% against 46.97%. In the Partido Nacional, former president Lacalle defeated Jorge Larranaga by 57.61^ against 42.39% and in the Partido Colorado party, Pedro Bordaberry deafeated former vice-president Luis Hierro Lopez by 72.26% against 27.74%.
It can be said that the “real” campaign begins now. Up to this moment, the race was restricted to the winning over of party members. Thus, the trend is that there will be greater contrast among the candidacies leading to October 25th, date of the first round of elections.
The candidates’ posture remains unknown. Mujica represents the government of Tabare Vazquez, who is favored by the population. However, the senator’s guerrilla past will be an obstacle given the existing conservatism in Uruguayan society.
The election also brings challenges for the opposition. Trying to regain power and avoid a second term for Frente Ampla, the Nacional and Colorado parties do not have an easy road ahead of them. They need to, simultaneously, present proposals that make the electorate “buy” their ideas, and position themselves as the opposition to a favored government.
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
The Democrats’ greater economic protectionism and Barack Obama’s dislike of FTAs (Free Trade Agreements) make the signing of this type of agreement with Uruguay improbable – a possibility raised in 2007 after the signing of a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).
In addition to this, the effects of the international financial crisis on the Uruguayan economy make the local market far less attractive to American companies, who are today more interested in protecting their businesses.
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