President Luis Lacalle Pou’s nods to the Armed Forces have been repeated more than once since he took office, in March 2020. What the then president-elect had promised in the campaign, when he stated that it was necessary increase the “very poor” salary of the military, was later translated into the Five-Year Budget Law, which granted a salary increase for the lower echelons of the Armed Forces, extra items and extension of health benefits for the family of military personnel, among other things.
It was through this initiative that from 12 to 14 in the number of generals in the Army and increased from 130 to 156 in the number of colonels who belong to the ground force, improving the number of officers established by the Organic Law approved in 2019. This modification allowed raise, in turn, the number of ship captains in the Navy, going from 76 to 82, and raise the number of colonels in the Air Force, going from 45 to 47.
But they were not the only signs of support the government gave the forces. On the day of his inauguration, the president marked the field showing a profile close to the military leadership when he stated that one of his trips abroad would be to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to visit the Uruguayan military contingent participating in the peacekeeping mission of the United Nations (UN), prominent in that country.
This Friday he fulfilled his promise and disembarked in Congolese territory to pass Christmas with the Uruguayan soldiers deployed in that territory, accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Javier García.
Uruguayan Army
Visit of Lacalle Pou to the Congo
Upon his arrival at the “Uruguay IV” Battalion, in the city of Goma, Lacalle Pou addressed the military with words of gratitude and appreciation. The president said that for him it was a “pleasure” to spend Christmas “with that great family that is our homeland.” On more than one occasion he used the term “oriental” to refer to that family and explained that their presence there was a “testimony” to “understand the sacrifice” that these soldiers make. “It is always good to feel accompanied”, he underlined in part of the brief message he gave.
The president also expressed gratitude for the work of the Uruguayan peacekeepers, who have been part of the UN stabilization mission in that territory for 20 years. “The Uruguayan civilian people who know the work, dedication, professionalism and that typical humanism of the Orientals saying that we carry the word of gratitude and recognition to each one of you.”
He further told them that they were the “pride” of the nation. “Compatriots who have stood out internationally for their work, for their work, for their gift of people. And who are the pride of all our citizens.”
The presence of the president in the Congo and his words have a high degree of symbolism in a coalition government that has other parties with strong ties to those in uniform. Cabildo Abierto emerged from within the military family, its leadership is made up mostly of retired military personnel and several of its legislative proposals coincide with what that audience wants to hear.
However, the president’s support for the Armed Forces is not based only on speeches but was consolidated with other government decisions. At the end of 2020, the Executive Branch acquired two Hercules C-130 H aircraft from Spain for US $ 21 million (plus US $ 1 million for spare parts).
In addition, two weeks ago government authorities reported a call destined to acquire two ocean patrols to work in the care of the territorial sea and ocean surveillance.
During the last electoral campaign, the then nationalist candidate had sent a wink to the Armed Forces when asked about the cost of the military fund for the State: “Do not talk to me about the deficit of the ‘military fund’ because it is not true, it is a lie. It is the budget that Uruguay assigns to the Armed Forces and from there come the salaries, equipment, operations, instruments and apart from the retirements of the military ”.
