Luis Lacalle Pou’s wife, Lorena Ponce de León, traveled to Dubai in business class, with state money despite the fact that she does not hold any official position.
This data, derived from a request for access to information and disclosed by The Daily, contradicts the version of Ponce de León herself who had said in December that her trip had been paid for by the host country. Already on December 24, documents from the Presidency had been released confirming that money had come out of the public coffers to pay for her air tickets, this being irregular because she is not a State official.
In addition, current regulations prevent a person who occupies a position lower than undersecretary (equivalent to deputy minister) from traveling in business class, as is clear from decree 56/002 promulgated during the government of Jorge Batlle. Said decree states in its article 7 that “in all official missions and service commissions abroad, carried out by officials of lower rank than undersecretaries and officials of equivalent rank, economy class tickets will be used.”
Further on, it is read that the use of economy class tickets “reaches all cases and situations of tickets received by diplomatic officials, whatever their position and rank, including those used to assume and return from permanent missions abroad.” .
Ponce de León is not the first lady of the Republic, simply because that figure does not exist in Uruguay.
The amounts and the entourage
In the request for access to information given to the outlet cited by the Presidency, and signed by Deputy Secretary Rodrigo Ferrés, it is indicated that the president’s wife’s trip was labeled an “official mission” and the sum of US$11,930 was paid, plus US$25 for travel insurance.
The State spent a total of US$16,995 for the Lacalle Pou ticket.
They traveled accompanied by three other people who, yes, were put in economy class, the cheapest on a plane, and even that way they cost US$3,989 each, totaling US$11,967. These three companions were the aide-de-camp of the National Army of the head of state, Colonel Guillermo Roca, and the attached Alejandro Astesiano, head of presidential custody who has more than 20 police inquiries for multiple crimes, and Juan Seré, an individual from the inner circle of the president who is director of the foreign trade company Jaume & Seré.
Lacalle will return to Expo Dubai on February 18, because three days later the National Day of Uruguay will be celebrated at the mega event.
