Yamandú Orsi won the presidential election in Uruguay, marking a significant political shift for the Broad Front coalition after five years of center-right governance. Orsi aims to address social inequality and environmental issues, while U.S. policy towards Cuba remains contentious. The international landscape is also influenced by the rising Reactionary International and ongoing occupations in Western Sahara and Palestine.
Uruguay recently experienced a shift in political leadership as Yamandú Orsi, representing the progressive Broad Front coalition, achieved victory in the presidential election held on November 24, 2024. Securing 50% of the votes against Álvaro Delgado from the National Party, who garnered 46%, Orsi’s triumph is viewed as a redefinition of the country’s political landscape. This election marks a significant return of the Broad Front after a five-year period of center-right rule under President Luis Lacalle Pou.
Yamandú Orsi, affiliated with the Popular Participation Movement (MPP), is considered a successor to former President José ‘Pepe’ Mujica’s legacy. His campaign emphasized inclusivity and progress, resonating with voters facing economic hardship, escalating crime, and the need for environmental reforms. Notably, Orsi will be the first president from the Frente Amplio to originate from Uruguay’s rural areas, supported by vice president-elect Carolina Cosse, a former mayor of Montevideo.
Orsi’s presidency, commencing on March 1, 2025, promises to prioritize social equality and sustainability. He aims to combat child poverty, currently at 25%, through enhanced social spending, job creation for youth, and educational initiatives. Proposed reforms to the social security framework include the potential reduction of the retirement age and support for a shortened 40-hour workweek, responding to labor demands.
Environmental concerns are also central to Orsi’s agenda. Already a frontrunner in renewable energy, utilizing over 98% renewable sources for its electricity, Uruguay seeks to invest further in green technologies and explore international collaborations for developing green hydrogen production. His foreign policy will emphasize regional alliances within Mercosur while maintaining cautiousness towards free trade agreements.
Meanwhile, the United States has intensified its visa restrictions aimed at Cuban healthcare workers stationed abroad, an action condemned by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez for its detrimental impact on the nation’s solidarity initiatives in healthcare. This decision marks another escalation in U.S.-Cuba relations since the onset of the Trump administration.
The Sahrawi people recently celebrated the 49th anniversary of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, championing their aspirations for freedom amid continuing occupation by Morocco, supported by Western powers like the U.S. and EU. The Solidarity Movement has submitted a memo supporting the Trump administration’s critique of South Africa’s legislative efforts towards racial equity, expressing gratitude for the pressure applied on the nation’s policies.
In a recent collaboration with the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, the Progressive International co-hosted discussions regarding the implications of U.S. sanctions against Cuba, engaging experts on legal and transformative aspects of these measures. This week, leaders of the Progressive International also provided briefings to UK parliament members on international law surrounding Palestine and urged support for efforts to defend it.
The emergence of a global network of far-right entities, termed the Reactionary International, has raised concerns regarding its influence, transcending individual politicians to effectuate substantial policy changes worldwide. Investigative efforts are underway to unveil the strategies and motivations driving this coalition’s success.
In another troubling development, illegal listings of vacation rentals in Israeli settlements in the West Bank have been noted on major platforms, drawing attention to violations of international law following the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on Israeli occupation. The Progressive International’s Watermelon Index is mobilizing efforts to combat this complicity by organizing workers to advocate for ethical business practices.
Yamandú Orsi’s election as president of Uruguay signifies a pivotal moment for progressive politics in the country, with a robust agenda targeting poverty, social security reform, and environmental sustainability. As he takes office in March 2025, his administration aims to address the pressing inequalities faced by Uruguay’s populace. Concurrently, the situation regarding U.S.-Cuba relations and the broader implications of far-right movements worldwide continue to evolve, necessitating global awareness and action.
Original Source: progressive.international
