Venezuela Celebrates Frente Amplio Win in Uruguay, ‘Neoliberal Right’ Defeat

Mexico City, Mexico, November 26, 2024 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Venezuela sent its congratulations to the newly elected president of Uruguay, Yamandú Orsi and his running mate Carolina Cosse, pledging a closer and more cooperative future relationship between the two nations.
In its statement, the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs celebrated the “important victory over the neoliberal right” in the country by the leftist electoral coalition known locally as the Frente Amplio.
Caracas experienced frayed relations with Montevideo during the mandate of outgoing president, Luis Lacalle Pou, who frequently aired his criticisms of the Maduro government in public forums and threw support behind the former self-proclaimed “interim government” led by Juan Guaidó.
“Let us work towards building a respectful and positive relationship, one of cooperation and shared support between our countries,” said Maduro via social media.
Orsi, a one time teacher and former mayor, narrowly defeated his rival Álvaro Delgado, who represented Lacalle’s right-wing National Party and the Republican Coalition on the ballot.
According to results, the Frente Amplio secured 1,196,798 votes in the second-ballot vote versus 1,101,296 votes for Delgado. Uruguay’s Supreme Electoral Court reported a voter turnout of 89 percent, with the participation of over 2.7 million eligible voters.
Orsi drew some scrutiny from Venezuelans after he described the political situation in the country as “indefensible” and labeled the government as “authoritarian.” His running mate, however, has defended Venezuela in the past.
In a 2018 interview, Cosse rejected the accusation that there are “dictatorships” in Cuba and Venezuela.
“I do not consider Cuba and Venezuela to be dictatorships. I believe that each nation has the right to self-determination. In Venezuela, there is a president elected in free elections,” said Cosse at the time.
The election of Orsi marks the return of the left to power in Uruguay following a five-year absence. The Frente Amplio had previously governed the South American country for an uninterrupted 15-year period, with historical leaders Tabaré Vásquez and José “Pepe” Mujica alternating in the presidential palace. Orsi is expected to mirror his coalition’s progressive and moderate style of governance that characterized their previous stint in power.
“I will be a president who promotes dialogue. I will be a president who builds a more integrated society and country, where no one is left behind economically, socially, or politically,” said Orsi in his victory speech.
Edited by Ricardo Vaz in Caracas.