Uruguay Roundup: Asylum strategies, violence law, agricultural emergencies

Asylum applications

Uruguay has issued a decree to speed up the admission of 3,500 Venezuelan refugees into the country. This initiative will allow for expedited processing of asylum applications, waiving the requirement for a personal interview in certain cases. The new measure addresses the growing number of asylum applications from Venezuelan nationals and is welcomed by the UN Agency for Refugees. As reported by Merco Press, Uruguay's foreign minister, Omar Paganini explains that the decree allows each case to be studied ”in an accelerated manner, to go through the processes faster and thus be able to determine the refuge expeditiously,“

Controversies over gender-based violence law

President Luis Lacalle Pou has proposed changes to a gender-based violence law in Uruguay, leading to controversy. The bill aims to avoid "false denunciations" and offer more guarantees to the accused. The move has sparked criticism from the opposition, with claims that the government should focus on addressing the country's significant gender-based violence problem. According to Prensa Latina, the proposal also comes amid an institutional scandal involving the president of the ruling National Party.

Agricultural emergency

Uruguay's Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) has declared an agricultural emergency in regions impacted by recent floods. According to Prensa Latina, this decision stems from "the agro-climatic situation in areas affected by excess water and floods in April and May, as well as the current weather forecast." This measure, coming on the heels of a similar one prompted by last year’s drought, will release resources from the Agricultural Emergency Fund to support producers in certain areas of the Rocha and Treinta y Tres departments.

Uruguay blocks factory deal

Uruguayan competition authorities have blocked Minerva Foods' acquisition of three Marfrig-owned factories. Minerva is in the process of appealing the decision. The deal was part of a larger agreement between the two companies, and Minerva has been expanding its presence in South America and globally. In July 2022, Minerva announced a supply agreement with Hilton Foods to supply beef for the UK market, reports Irish Farmers Journal.

Port disputes

A Chilean port operator, Neltume Ports has filed a US$600 million claim with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) against Uruguay. This follows the state's decision to extend the concession of a competing terminal operator. The claim comes just weeks after the operator's Canadian parent company initiated a case over the same issue, as reported by Latin Lawyer. Neltume Ports oversees and manages 16 port operations for Ultramar in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay, serving as a key agent for the expansion and development of new port business across the Americas.