Uruguay Hosts Brazilian Ex-President Rousseff

Dilma Rousseff with Uruguayan ex-president Pepe Mujica in a previous visit.

Tabaré Vázques, the Uruguayan president, hosted Dilma Rousseff, former president of Brazil, as an “illustrious visitor” on November 4. The visit was Rousseff’s first international trip since her impeachment by the Brazilian National Congress in August.

Rousseff visited Montevideo to participate in an international event hosted by powerful Uruguayan labor unions discussing the defense of democracy against neo-liberalism. The Broad Front, the ruling coalition in Uruguay’s government, also sponsored the trip. The event featured numerous political speeches by Rousseff.

Beyond hosting the recently impeached president, the Uruguayan government took a variety of steps that showed signs of approval, including presenting to her the keys of Montevideo. In addition, many figures joined the crowds at the rallies by chanting “Out with Temer,” a slogan that captures the condemnation of current President of Brazil Michel Temer’s perceived coup.

Rousseff praised the work of Uruguayan unions to increase wages and the progressive policies of Uruguay’s government, which heavily contrast with Brazil’s new plan to greatly reduce social costs. Rousseff also clearly criticized Temer’s administration, arguing that policies of an unelected president were a threat to democracy.

Uruguay’s Broad Front is ideologically similar to Rousseff’s Worker’s Party and expressed fears during the impeachment proceedings that the process amounted to a coup d’etat by the far right and economic elite. Uruguay also pushed for a resolution within the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) to support Rousseff against the impeachment, but the move failed to gain the requisite support of other nations.

Trade remained a major topic of debate during the visit, with Rousseff criticizing Brazilian and Argentine attempts to push Venezuela out of its current role within MERCOSUR, the South American common market. This push created tensions between Uruguay and Brazil in August as Temer’s interim government was accused of attempting to buy Uruguayan support through better trade deals.

While the ruling Uruguayan coalition sponsored Rousseff’s visit and speeches, a number of fears created tension in an already fraught relationship with Brazil, Uruguay’s largest trading partner. Brazil has yet to comment on the visit, and their views on a possible insult to their current government remain unknown.