Israel and Syria agree to ceasefire, says U.S. ambassador to Türkiye
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-bor...
Uruguay is shifting to the center-left as Yamandú Orsi was sworn in as the country’s new president on Saturday. Backed by former leader José “Pepe” Mujica, Orsi has pledged a “modern left” approach, balancing economic growth with stronger social policies.
Orsi took office as Uruguay’s new president after a narrow election victory.
He promised a balanced approach to governance, focusing on social welfare and investment.
Uruguay faces economic and social challenges, with nearly 19% of the population in multidimensional poverty.
Diplomatic ties with the U.S., China, and Mercosur countries will test Orsi’s leadership.
Orsi, a 57-year-old former mayor, won the presidency in November, defeating the ruling center-right coalition. Seen as a moderate, he has promised a pragmatic leftist agenda, emphasizing both social protection and business-friendly policies.
During his inaugural speech at Montevideo’s Legislative Palace, Orsi made clear his government would not overhaul the system but instead push for “new proposals and permanent construction.” The chamber erupted in applause when he credited Mujica, the iconic leftist former president.
Outgoing conservative leader Luis Lacalle Pou presented Orsi with the presidential sash during an outdoor ceremony where the two shared a brief embrace.
Throughout his campaign, Orsi reassured Uruguayans that his government would avoid radical policy changes in one of South America's most stable economies, known for cattle ranching, progressive laws, and steady growth.
Uruguay’s economy, fueled by farm exports, is projected to grow in 2025, but high living costs, inequality, and rising crime rates have weakened public trust in the previous administration.
“The destiny and future of this country has to change,” Orsi said in an interview with Reuters before the election, insisting that his Broad Front coalition, which secured a Senate majority, was the force to make that change.
According to a February 19 report by the National Statistics Agency (INE), 19% of Uruguayans faced multidimensional poverty, measured by deprivations in areas like education, housing, and employment.
The new government’s priority is to boost social programs while attracting investment and skilled workers—without raising taxes.
Orsi’s government enters at a time of global trade tensions, with Uruguay balancing ties between China, its largest trading partner, and the U.S., a key regional ally.
"Uruguay will be under a lot of pressure from the U.S. to limit Chinese investment in critical sectors like infrastructure and telecommunications," said Nicolás Saldías from the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Despite this, U.S.-Uruguay trade surged by 68% in 2024, creating new opportunities for economic cooperation. Orsi’s government will need strong diplomacy to navigate relations with the Trump administration.
Uruguay has also been negotiating a bilateral trade deal with China since 2021, while pushing for a broader China-Mercosur agreement. In December, Mercosur reached a long-awaited trade deal with the European Union after decades of talks.
Orsi also faces a divided Mercosur bloc, with left-wing Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Argentina’s libertarian leader Javier Milei at odds. While Lula attended the inauguration, Milei skipped the event due to the opening of Argentina’s Congress.
In a break from past Uruguayan foreign policy, Orsi hesitated to invite Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro after his disputed election in July. Ultimately, the decision was left to Lacalle Pou’s outgoing government, which blocked officials from Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, citing their lack of democratic governance.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Germany's export slump since 2021 is largely driven by deep-rooted competitiveness issues, the Bundesbank warned in its latest report, calling for urgent structural reforms.
Israeli researchers have unveiled an artificial intelligence tool that can determine a person’s true biological age from tiny DNA samples with remarkable precision.
Two Harry Potter actresses, Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker, have each received a six-month driving ban after separate speeding offences, both sentenced on the same day at a Buckinghamshire court.
North Korea has stopped foreign tourists from visiting its new Wonsan-Kalma resort just weeks after it welcomed the first Russian visitors.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in the U.S., though the company has not confirmed the claim.
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-border strikes this week heightened tensions.
The Trump administration has completed a controversial prisoner swap with Venezuela, returning around 250 deported Venezuelans in exchange for 10 American detainees.
Congo and the M23 rebel group have agreed on a declaration of principles after months of Qatar-mediated talks, aiming to end fighting in the country’s east.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment