Uruguayans reject entry of U.S. elite troops

The Plenario Intersindical de Trabajadores - Convención Nacional de Trabajadores (PIT-CNT) of Uruguay have rejected the law accepted by the legislature where the entry of U.S. troops into national territory is allowed, just when the executive has decided to punish active soldiers who criticize in social networks the government.

The only trade union center in Uruguay expressed through a statement that, "In knowledge of the recent unanimous approval by the National Parliament of a law that enables the entry of elite troops of the US Army to national territory, the Executive Secretariat of the PIT-CNT expresses its emphatic rejection to the presence of the elite command of the US armed forces in our country."

In this sense, the PIT-CNT added that: "Military maneuvers with foreign forces accustomed to sowing war and destruction all over the world are not a good sign for Uruguay's international image".

The multiple interventions of the U.S. constitute a demonstration of "the violent and warmongering practice throughout the world as a way of imposing its economic and political interests".

Likewise, the union denounced the support given by the U.S. government during the period of the Uruguayan civic-military dictatorship, which caused profound damage "to the human rights and public liberties of the people".

Meanwhile, President Luis Lacalle Pou and the Minister of Defense, Javier García, signed this month a decree imposing sanctions on the National Navy personnel in case they publish on their social networks any criticism of the government.

Social organizations in Uruguay have denounced the implementation of anti-popular measures to benefit the interests of foreign companies and governments, while warning that Lacalle's administration is undermining the rule of law in the South American country.