Uruguay

The government presented its first ever long-term climate strategy this week - it aims for the country to be carbon neutral by 2050, and one of its first steps will be making all public transport and cargo vehicles electric

Exports of leather have increased by 67% in the past year

The World Bank approved a US$35.5 million loan to reinforce the agricultural public system - the funds will go towards climate change adaptation actions aimed at sustainably producing food destined to international markets

As the state is slowly regaining pre-pandemic life standards, citizens have demonstrated their desire to experience outside life, recently causing a significant demand increase for the restaurant industry, and consequently growing the demand for workers

The Uruguayan Export Price Index reports a 20% increase in export prices in the past year, marking a new all time record for the country

Citizens demonstrated their outrage against a new law that raises the national retirement age; through manifestations in the Montevideo capital they sought a dialogue with the government which has yet to take place

This week the nation will completely reopen its borders, as well as allow tourists to get vaccinated during their stay

World Food Day took place this week, inspiring thousands of Uruguayans to take on the streets and demand President Luis Lacalle Pou to address the still ongoing food crisis that the country has been going through for the past two decades

The country re-entered the European Union’s tax haven “graylist” due to the recent publishing of the Pandora Papers, making the government start discussions in regards as to how the nation can improve fiscal transparency

Manifestations in the country continue as thousands of protesters overtake the city of Montevideo to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights

This week a general strike in the country begun: workers suspended activities as a way of demanding the government higher salaries and an overall better treatment for the Uruguayan working class

There are current tensions within the South American trade bloc Mercosur, since Uruguay has formally decided to agree on a Free Trade treaty with China; Mercosur’s major partners claim that decisions of such caliber should be done consulting the bloc

Fuel prices have been fixed to new levels, slightly lower than those in use; the reaction on social medias of all political sides range from praising the effort to considering the iniziative to timid to make a real difference