The "Bolsonaro" of Uruguay

The President of Uruguay, Tabare Vasquez, on March 12, 2019, removed General Guido Manini Rios, from his post as commander-in-chief of the Army for criticizing the Judicial branch for denying due process to members of the military who have been tried for human rights violations committed during the military dictatorship in Uruguay between 1973-1985.  General Manini stated that "a member of the military who is under investigation by the Judiciary does not have the guarantees of due process and is convicted on the basis of conjectures or forged evidence.  Manini singled out the case of a 72 year old sergeant who was recently sentenced for an act "that supposedly occurred 40 years ago."

In Uruguay, more than 40 members of the military have been investigated for human rights crimes. Hundreds were arrested and tortured and an estimated 192 people were forcibly disappeared.  Given that the dictatorship ended over 30 years ago, some of the aging members of the military have died in prison, such as General Gregorio Alvarez, the last leader of the Uruguayan military dictatorship who died in 2016 at 91, while serving a prison sentence.

The government characterized General Manini's attitude as incompatible with his post.  Members of the military are not supposed to express political opinions.  Following his dismissal, General Manini granted an interview to a local radio station and announced that he did not rule out the possibility of standing for elections this year, scheduled to occur at the end of October, in order to fight for the reform of military pensions and to fight for justice for the military. General Manini attended the inauguration ceremony of the new Brazilian commander in chief and was photographed with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.  Given his stated intention to get involved in politics, he is now being termed the Uruguayan Bolsonaro.