Yamandú Orsi was sworn in as Uruguay’s President this Saturday, outlining his top priorities for his administration: the economy, security, poverty, and the search for those disappeared during the dictatorship.

The former presidential candidate from the Frente Amplio delivered a 25-minute speech before the Uruguayan General Assembly, laying out the broad guidelines of his policies while signaling openness to dialogue with the political opposition.

At the beginning of his address, he acknowledged 40 years of democracy in Uruguay but emphasized that the scars of the dictatorship remain.

“This is why it is both fair and essential to uphold our commitment to freedom, truth, and justice,” he stated, drawing applause from the audience.

His commitment to finding those who disappeared during the dictatorship resurfaced at the end of his speech:
“Our democracy will be healthier the day every Uruguayan family knows where their missing loved ones are.”

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On the economic front, Orsi emphasized Uruguay’s legal security and macroeconomic stability.

“The positive accumulation of past efforts has made Uruguay a country with stable rules, where contracts are honored, where the state fulfills its commitments, and where macroeconomic stability is a state policy,” he highlighted.

He acknowledged differences in economic policy approaches, stating:
“We may disagree on the tools to achieve a fairer distribution of national wealth—something we deeply value—but we will not ignore the economic principles Uruguay has upheld since the restoration of democracy.”

Regarding security, Orsi took a firm stance:
“There will be no leniency toward crime or its repression,” he declared, reaffirming his administration’s unwavering commitment to combating organized crime, drug trafficking, and money laundering.

However, he also warned that a purely repressive approach would be insufficient:
“We know well that any solution will be incomplete—and even demagogic—if we fail to address the many root causes of violence.”

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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated on Saturday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was humiliated during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, calling the scenes broadcast live by the media “grotesque.”

“I’m not a diplomat, but since diplomacy was created, there has never been such a grotesque and disrespectful scene as the one that took place in the Oval Office of the White House,” Lula told reporters in Montevideo, where he was attending the inauguration of Uruguay’s president-elect, Yamandú Orsi.

“Honestly, I believe that part of society thrives on disrespecting others, and it is impossible to talk about democracy without respecting other human beings. I think Zelensky was humiliated, and I believe that in Trump’s mind, Zelensky deserved it,” he added.

Earlier on Saturday, Lula met with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for a bilateral discussion. During their meeting, Lula stated that Europe would likely bear the responsibility for rebuilding Ukraine and maintaining NATO.

“It is very likely that Europe will be blamed for the disaster happening now, when in reality, it is not the fault of any specific country. It is a matter of irresponsible leaders who refuse to discuss peace and instead prefer to talk about war,” he argued.

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Lula also reiterated Brazil and China’s proposal for a negotiated peace process, which would bring Ukraine and Russia to the table with other countries acting as mediators.

Venezuela will declare a National Day of Celebration on the date set for the canonization of Blessed José Gregorio Hernández, following its approval by Pope Francis on Tuesday, the National Assembly (AN) announced on Thursday. The chavista-controlled Parliament passed a resolution marking this occasion as a historic milestone.

According to the approved decree, this decision follows 75 years of anticipation from the Venezuelan people, who have long awaited the official recognition of the miraculous virtues of this revered figure.

The National Assembly also endorsed efforts to promote the life and legacy of Hernández, who will become Venezuela’s first saint. Additionally, a relic of the “Doctor of the Poor” (1864–1919) will be placed in the National Pantheon in Caracas, where Simón Bolívar’s remains rest.

The legislative body celebrated the upcoming canonization as a tribute to a man who dedicated his life to serving others, spreading a message of hope and love.