Recently, the former president Jose Mujica and the leader of Cabildo Abierto, Guido Manini Ríosmet at the former president’s farm in Rincón del Cerro. This meeting has been the subject of media attention, given the current political background and Mujica’s deteriorating health. Both leaders analyzed various issues of the country’s new political reality, reflecting on the absence of a parliamentary majority of the Frente Amplio.
The Broad Frontthe party that now led to Yamandu Orsi for the presidency of the Republic, holds the majority in the Senate, but faces challenges in the House of Representatives, where it has 48 of 99 seats. This situation forces the FA to seek additional support to pass laws. Open Town Hallfor its part, has two deputies that could facilitate this majority, which generates a scenario of potential collaboration in certain initiatives. But it is known that those two votes will not be free or cheap.
Is Cabildo Abierto approaching the Frente Amplio?
During their meeting, Mujica and Manini discussed possible areas of cooperation. Despite political differences, the former commander in chief expressed his willingness to collaborate with the government of Yamandú Orsi. This conversation suggests an interest in establishing a constructive dialogue between the different political sectors for the well-being of the country.
One of the topics highlighted at the meeting was the controversial proposal (already reiterated several times) of release elderly soldiers who are imprisoned for crimes committed during the last dictatorship in Uruguay. Manini defended the measure, arguing that there is a “process of revenge” that has affected many soldiers and that this situation must be put to an end.
In a recent interview, Manini emphasized his “concern” over the continued penalization of the military, citing that this “revenge” is a “shame for everyone.” The leader of Cabildo Abierto argues that many of the inmates are “innocent” and that justice is not applied to them equitably. This position has been criticized and discussed in various political forums and is not necessarily shared by his right-wing coalition partners.
In his concept of democracy, Manini Ríos said last March that he understands that the armed forces are indispensable, because they “protect” the institutions. Under this premise, the retired soldier believes that the PIT-CNT, the great national union center, contains within it “elements with few democratic convictions”, insinuating without evidence that, although as an organization it does not plan to subjugate the Constitution and the State, it would have coup characters inside.
The Frente Amplio vehemently repudiated those statements. «Hidden behind the privileges you can say any nonsense, I don’t remember those terms when he went to request a meeting with the PIT-CNT. Maybe whoever wants to offend doesn’t offend, there is a smell of desperation because of the polls,” said the senator and communist leader. Oscar Andrade. ‘Boca’ was somewhat right: Cabildo Abierto made a terrible choice and He only got two deputies and no senators.
Back to Mujica, the former president does not totally disagree with the idea of releasing elderly prisoners, but he has been cautious in removing from that category criminals who committed crimes against humanity during the dictatorship. However, the negative response from the left coalition generated discontent in the Cabildo Abierto sector. The lack of consensus reflects the deep divisions that persist in Uruguayan politics on this matter and the position of the FA in respecting the memory of the victims of this dark episode in national history.
Guido Manini Ríos, in his recent biographical book, addressed his position on the subject. He explained that, Although he claims he does not defend the torturers or the dictatorial regimethe length of time the debate on these events has lasted is questioned. This position is part of a broader discourse that advocates for a closing of painful chapters in the country’s history.
