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108-839: Military aviation in Uruguay was born on 17 March 1913 when the Military Aviation School ( Escuela Militar de Aviación ) was formed. Like other Latin American countries, flight instruction was initially performed by a European instructor pilot. In Uruguay , this was made by the French instructor Marcel Paillette , who trained ten National Army officers who had been chosen to be the first Uruguayan military pilots. Among them were Captain Juan Manuel Boiso Lanza and Lieutenant Cesáreo L. Berisso . Berisso

216-511: A cold wind ( pampero ) from the Argentine Pampas . Even though both temperature and precipitation are quite uniform nationwide, there are considerable differences across the territory. The average annual temperature of the country is 17.5 °C (63.5 °F), ranging from 16 °C (61 °F) in the southeast to 19 °C (66 °F) in the northwest. Winter temperatures range from a daily average of 11 °C (52 °F) in

324-640: A five-year term based on proportional representation ; and the Chamber of Senators , consisting of 31 members, 30 of whom are elected for a five-year term by proportional representation, and the vice-president, who presides over the chamber and has the right to vote. The judicial arm is exercised by the Supreme Court , the Bench, and Judges nationwide. The members of the Supreme Court are elected by

432-456: A major financial center of the region and an entrepôt for goods from Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The Colorado leader José Batlle y Ordóñez was elected president in 1903. The following year, the Blancos led a rural revolt, and eight bloody months of fighting ensued before their leader, Aparicio Saravia , was killed in battle. Government forces emerged victorious, leading to the end of

540-627: A participation in the country's politics. On February 8, 1973, President Juan María Bordaberry tried to assert his authority over the Armed Forces by returning them to their normal duties and appointing a retired Army general, Antonio Francese , as the new Minister of National Defense . Initially, the Navy of Uruguay supported the appointment but the National Army and Uruguayan Air Force commanders rejected it outright. On February 9 and 10,

648-468: A peace agreement was signed in 1872 that gave the Blancos a share in the emoluments and functions of government through control of four of the departments of Uruguay . This establishment of the policy of co-participation represented the search for a new formula of compromise based on the coexistence of the party in power and the opposition party. Despite this agreement, the Colorado rule was threatened by

756-515: A population of around 3.4 million, of whom nearly 2 million live in the metropolitan area of its capital and largest city , Montevideo . The area that became Uruguay was first inhabited by groups of hunter-gatherers 13,000 years ago. The predominant tribe at the moment of the arrival of Europeans was the Charrúa people. At the same time, there were also other tribes, such as the Guaraní and

864-532: A reconnaissance mission, sighted two Argentine warships. These ships appeared in a visual aid that had been delivered to all the pilots of the Aviation Group No. 2, which contained the profiles of the ships of the Argentine fleet. When sighted, the ships fired several bursts of anti-aircraft fire, and Lieutenant Samarello decided to shelter the section among the clouds. The Argentine crew, upon noticing

972-528: A river snail called uruguá ( Pomella megastoma ) that was plentiful across its shores. One of the most popular interpretations of the name was proposed by the renowned Uruguayan poet Juan Zorrilla de San Martín , "the river of painted birds"; this interpretation, although dubious, still holds an important cultural significance in the country. In Spanish colonial times and for some time thereafter, Uruguay and some neighboring territories were called Banda Oriental [del Uruguay] ("Eastern Bank [of

1080-595: A strong influence on the government. A transition period (1886–90) followed, during which politicians began recovering lost ground, and some civilian participation in government occurred. After the Guerra Grande , there was a sharp rise in the number of immigrants, primarily from Italy and Spain. By 1879, the total population of the country was over 438,500. The economy reflected a steep upswing (if demonstrated graphically, above all other related economic determinants) in livestock raising and exports. Montevideo became

1188-571: A zone of contention between the Spanish and Portuguese empires. In 1603, the Spanish began introducing cattle, which became a source of regional wealth. The first permanent Spanish settlement was founded in 1624 at Soriano on the Río Negro . In 1669–71, the Portuguese built a fort at Colonia del Sacramento (Colônia do Sacramento). Montevideo , the current capital of Uruguay, was founded by

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1296-470: Is a unitary state : justice, education, health, security, foreign policy and defense are all administered nationwide. The executive power is exercised by the president and a cabinet of 14 ministers. The legislative power is constituted by the General Assembly , composed of two chambers : the Chamber of Representatives , consisting of 99 members representing the 19 departments, elected for

1404-458: Is celebrated as Independence Day, a national holiday . The nation's first constitution was adopted on 18 July 1830. At the time of independence, Uruguay had an estimated population of just under 75,000. The political scene in Uruguay became split between two parties: the conservative Blancos (Whites), headed by the second President Manuel Oribe , representing the agricultural interests of

1512-572: Is estimated that at the time of the first contact with Europeans in the 16th century, there were about 9,000 Charrúa and 6,000 Chaná and some Guaraní island settlements. There is an extensive archeological collection of man-made tumuli known as " Cerritos de Indios " in the eastern part of the country, some of them dating back to 5,000 years ago. Very little is known about the people who built them as they left no written record, but evidence has been found in place of pre-Columbian agriculture and of extinct pre-Columbian dogs . The Portuguese were

1620-486: Is involved in search and rescue, disaster assistance, and transportation to remote locations within the country. The Uruguayan Air Force currently has five bases. Air Brigade I is based at Gen. Cesáreo L. Berisso Air Base at Carrasco International Airport ( SUMU ) near Carrasco; Air Brigade II is based at 2nd Lt. Mario W. Parrallada Air Base at Santa Bernardina International Airport ( SUDU ) in Durazno ; Air Brigade III,

1728-551: Is the second smallest sovereign nation in South America (after Suriname ) and the third smallest territory ( French Guiana is the smallest). The landscape features mostly rolling plains and low hill ranges ( cuchillas ) with a fertile coastal lowland. Uruguay has 660 km (410 mi) of coastline . The highest point in the country is the Cerro Catedral , whose peak reaches 514 metres (1,686 ft) AMSL in

1836-534: The Banda Oriental in particular. The assembly refused to seat the delegates from the Banda Oriental; however, Buenos Aires pursued a system based on unitary centralism. As a result, Artigas broke with Buenos Aires and besieged Montevideo, taking the city in early 1815. Once the troops from Buenos Aires had withdrawn, the Banda Oriental appointed its first autonomous government. Artigas organized

1944-696: The Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan and Douglas C-47 Skytrain in 1947. Between 1949 and 1950 a total number of 39 aircraft were acquired, including 25 North American F-51D-20-NA Mustang , 11 North American B-25J-25-NC Mitchell and 3 Douglas C-47A Skytrain . With the help of the United States via the Military Assistance Program (MAP), these aircraft allowed the military aviation of Uruguay to grow not only in size but in training. On December 4, 1950, with Law No. 12070,

2052-584: The Broad Front coalition. At the same time, centre-right National Party 's Luis Lacalle Pou was sworn in as the new President of Uruguay . A 2010 Latinobarómetro poll found that, within Latin America, Uruguayans are among the most supportive of democracy and by far the most satisfied with the way democracy works in their country. Uruguay ranked 27th in the Freedom House " Freedom in

2160-664: The CENTO & SEATO alliances, Pakistan officially became a Major non-NATO ally of the US under which it received aid financially and militarily through the Mutual Defense Assistance program to defend herself from Afghanistan and India which were being supported by the Soviets . The MDAA caused both a great deal of friction with the non-aligned countries and opportunities to tighten geopolitical relations with

2268-616: The Carrasco International Airport on October 23, 1956, beginning the jet age in Uruguay . The flight training that the United States Air Force (USAF) pilots gave in these new jet aircraft was fundamental for the Air Force, and not only veteran but new pilots of the Aviation Group No. 2 were able to transition from flying piston aircraft to jet aircraft on its own, ruling that the Air Force

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2376-612: The Chaná , when the Portuguese first established Colonia do Sacramento in 1680; Uruguay was colonized by Europeans later than its neighboring countries. The Spanish founded Montevideo as a military stronghold in the early 18th century due to competing claims over the region, while Uruguay won its independence between 1811 and 1828, following a four-way struggle between Portugal and Spain, and later Argentina and Brazil. It remained subject to foreign influence and intervention throughout

2484-524: The Cold War developed, these acts were part of the American policy of containment of communism . They importantly provided defense assistance to any ally that might be attacked by the Soviet Union or one of its allies, while other programs provided non-military economic assistance. In Asia, the programs expanded with the newly established Maoist People's Republic of China , and other areas, with

2592-652: The Federal League under his protection, consisting of six provinces, five of which later became part of Argentina. In 1816, 10,000 Portuguese troops invaded the Banda Oriental from Brazil; they took Montevideo in January 1817. After nearly four more years of struggle, the Portuguese Kingdom of Brazil annexed the Banda Oriental as a province under the name of " Cisplatina ". The Brazilian Empire became independent of Portugal in 1822. In response to

2700-633: The Köppen climate classification , most of the country has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). Only in some spots of the Atlantic Coast and at the summit of the highest hills of the Cuchilla Grande the climate is oceanic (Cfb). The country experiences four seasons, with summer from December to March and winter from June to September. Seasonal variations are pronounced, but extremes in temperature are rare. Summers are tempered by winds off

2808-709: The Napoleonic Wars . Montevideo was occupied by British forces from February to September 1807. In 1811, José Gervasio Artigas , who became Uruguay's national hero, launched a successful revolt against the Spanish authorities , defeating them on 18 May at the Battle of Las Piedras . In 1813, the new government in Buenos Aires convened a constituent assembly where Artigas emerged as a champion of federalism, demanding political and economic autonomy for each area and

2916-775: The Oriental Republic of Uruguay ( Spanish : República Oriental del Uruguay ), is a country in South America . It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast, while bordering the Río de la Plata to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast. It is part of the Southern Cone region of South America . Uruguay covers an area of approximately 176,215 square kilometres (68,037 sq mi). It has

3024-647: The Partido Colorado has been in government. However, in the 2004 Uruguayan general election , the Broad Front won an absolute majority in Parliamentary elections, and in 2009, José Mujica of the Broad Front defeated Luis Alberto Lacalle of the Blancos to win the presidency . In March 2020, Uruguay got a conservative government, meaning the end of 15 years of left-wing leadership under

3132-735: The Sierra Carapé hill range. To the southwest is the Río de la Plata , the estuary of the Uruguay River (the river which forms the country's western border). A dense fluvial network covers the country, consisting of four river basins, or deltas: the Río de la Plata Basin , the Uruguay River , the Laguna Merín , and the Río Negro. The major internal river is the Río Negro ('Black River'). Several lagoons are found along

3240-587: The 1990s onwards, various attempts have been made to renew the combat aircraft to no avail, with the T-33A being withdrawn from service in 1996 and the Air Squadron No. 2 (Fighters) suffering two fatal accidents on January 31, 2004 and August 12, 2016, with A-37B aircraft. The obsolescence of the aircraft with which the unit is currently equipped has left the Uruguayan Air Force out of step with

3348-688: The Air Force was considering, there are the Hongdu JL-10 or the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master , but despite how necessary its renewal is, no purchases has been made. Today the FAU comprises about 3000 personnel organized into three brigades and various support groups. The Uruguayan Air Force also includes Service divisions for Logistics, Communications and Computer Science, Information, Infrastructure, Maintenance, Meteorology, Health, Remote Aerospace Sensors, and Transport. The FAU

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3456-541: The Air Force was one of its permanent members, and the Armed Forces of Uruguay from now on were effectively in control of the country, with Bordaberry just participating in a self-coup . During this period of time, the Uruguayan Air Force took control of the country's airdromes, some aircraft that were seized from the subversion, appointed some of its general officers to led the flag carrier PLUNA and modernized its combat fleet with Cessna A-37B-CE Dragonfly and FMA IA-58A Pucará attack aircraft in 1976 and 1981. The cargo fleet

3564-515: The Armed Forces. Between 1992 and 1999 a total number of 36 aircraft were acquired, including the first four-engined and biggest aircraft in Uruguayan Air Force history, three Lockheed C-130B Hercules to carry out long-range strategic missions and six Pilatus PC-7U Turbo Trainers for advanced training in 1992, replacing the aging fleet of Beechcraft T-34 Mentors that were in service since 1977. Two Beechcraft Baron 58 and ten Cessna U-206H Stationair were purchased in 1998, with Uruguay becoming

3672-646: The Army and Air Force issued public proclamations and demanded his dismissal and changes in the country's political and economic system. Bordaberry then gave up to the pressure, and on February 12, at the Cap. Juan Manuel Boiso Lanza Air Base , Headquarters of the General Command of the Air Force, the National Security Council ( Consejo de Seguridad Nacional ) was created. The Commander-in-Chief of

3780-581: The Atlantic coast. Montevideo is the southernmost national capital in the Americas and the third most southerly in the world (after Canberra and Wellington ). Uruguay is the only country in South America situated entirely south of the Tropic of Capricorn , and is the southernmost sovereign state in the world when ordered by northernmost point of latitude . There are ten national parks in Uruguay : Five in

3888-577: The Atlantic, and severe cold in winter is unknown. Although it never gets too cold, frosts occur every year during the winter months, and precipitation such as sleet and hail occur almost every winter, but snow is very rare; it does occur every couple of years at higher elevations, but almost always without accumulation. As would be expected with its abundance of water, high humidity, and fog are common. The absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, makes all locations vulnerable to high winds and rapid changes in weather as fronts or storms sweep across

3996-523: The Blanco president Manuel Oribe was a close friend of the Argentine ruler Manuel de Rosas . On 15 June 1838, an army led by the Colorado leader Rivera overthrew President Oribe, who fled to Argentina. Rivera declared war on Rosas in 1839. The conflict would last 13 years and become known as the Guerra Grande (the Great War). In 1843, an Argentine army overran Uruguay on Oribe's behalf but failed to take

4104-616: The Blancos continued to support the Colorados on most issues. Low commodity prices and economic difficulties in Uruguay's main export markets (starting in Brazil with the devaluation of the real , then in Argentina in 2002 ) caused a severe recession; the economy contracted by 11%, unemployment climbed to 21%, and the percentage of Uruguayans in poverty rose to over 30%. In 2004, Uruguayans elected Tabaré Vázquez as president while giving

4212-413: The Broad Front a majority in both houses of Parliament. Vázquez stuck to economic orthodoxy. As commodity prices soared and the economy recovered from the recession, he tripled foreign investment, cut poverty and unemployment, cut public debt from 79% of GDP to 60%, and kept inflation steady. In 2009, José Mujica , a former left-wing guerrilla leader (Tupamaros) who spent almost 15 years in prison during

4320-570: The C-95 in Uruguay marked the first Embraer export in its entire history, when a total number of five of these brand new aircraft were purchased in 1975. Since the end of the 1960s and the beginning of the 1970s, the Air Force was involved in the fight against the guerrilla activity that was present in the country, focusing against the MLN-T ( Movimiento de Liberación Nacional – Tupamaros or Tupamaros – National Liberation Movement), that later triggered

4428-539: The Department of Canelones. The rank insignia of commissioned officers . The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel . The following is a list of air accidents involving the Uruguayan Air Force. Uruguay in South America Uruguay ( / ˈ jʊər ə ɡ w aɪ / YOOR -ə-gwy , Spanish: [uɾuˈɣwaj] ), officially

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4536-545: The Executive Power, a new structure was approved, and the Tactical Regiments and Aviation Groups disappeared to become Air Squadrons, leading to the actual organization of the Air Force. While the long-range strategic cargo fleet of Lockheed C-130B Hercules was replaced with two Lockheed KC-130H Hercules, that also became the first aerial refueling capable aircraft of the Uruguayan Air Force in 2020, from

4644-487: The Executive branch, in order to maintain air surveillance in the event of any violation of Uruguayan sovereignty by Argentine forces. That same day, F-51Ds and B-25Js were fully armed, and around 16:00 local time a first order was given for two F-51s to scramble to Colonia , and a B-25 to the north coast. On September 17, 1955, a section of two F-51 crewed by 1st Lt. Walter Samarello and Lt. 2nd Miguel Lagrotta, who were on

4752-568: The Export Control Act of 1949 over Soviet advances; export controls were used for both domestic policy and later as an instrument of foreign policy. This is exemplified by the restrictions on export of certain strategic or military items to the Soviet bloc or to other countries which it felt, if permitted, would be detrimental to the foreign policy program of the U.S. This latter motive became so strong that it brought legislation directing

4860-682: The General Assembly; the members of the Bench are selected by the Supreme Court with the consent of the Senate, and the Judges are directly assigned by the Supreme Court. Uruguay adopted its current constitution in 1967. Many of its provisions were suspended in 1973, but re-established in 1985. Drawing on Switzerland and its use of the initiative, the Uruguayan Constitution also allows citizens to repeal laws or to change

4968-432: The Guerra Grande finally came to an end. Montevideo rewarded Brazil's support by signing treaties that confirmed Brazil's right to intervene in Uruguay's internal affairs. In accordance with the 1851 treaties, Brazil intervened militarily in Uruguay as often as it deemed necessary. In 1865, the Triple Alliance was formed by the emperor of Brazil , the president of Argentina , and the Colorado general Venancio Flores ,

5076-465: The Military Air Force ( Fuerza Aérea Militar ) was created as a separate branch of the Armed Forces. All the elements of infrastructure, material, aircraft, personnel and items belonging to the Military Aeronautics were transferred to the new Air Force, as it was established in the first article of the law. The second article of this law established the creation of the General Inspection of the Air Force ( Inspección General de la Fuerza Aérea ), which under

5184-446: The President to enlist the cooperation of other nations in enacting controls on trade with the Soviet block to parallel those of the United States. The benefits of the various economic and military aid programs were to be withheld from non-cooperating nations. The act covered a wide range of materials needed for the production of weapons, and was especially focused on anything that could aid atomic weapons research and construction. As

5292-400: The Russian Federation and Sukhoi in remarkably favorable conditions that included credit facilities and an agreement branch for maintenance. These conditions were also offered for the Yak-130 Mitten. By December 2013 Uruguayan personnel had test flown this plane in Russia. According to Scramble a number of A-37B Dragonfly were purchased from the Ecuadorian Air Force in January 2014. Also,

5400-446: The Spanish in the early 18th century as a military stronghold. Its natural harbor soon developed into a commercial area competing with Río de la Plata 's capital, Buenos Aires . Uruguay's early 19th-century history was shaped by ongoing fights for dominance in the Platine region between British, Spanish, Portuguese, and other colonial forces. In 1806 and 1807, the British army attempted to seize Buenos Aires and Montevideo as part of

5508-544: The UK, Belgium, and Japan. Mutual Defense Assistance Act The Mutual Defense Assistance Act was a United States Act of Congress signed by President Harry S. Truman on October 6, 1949. For U.S. foreign policy, it was the first U.S. military foreign aid legislation of the Cold War era , and initially to Europe. The Act followed Truman's signing of the Economic Cooperation Act (the Marshall Plan ), on April 3, 1948, which provided non-military, economic reconstruction and development aid to Europe. The 1949 Act

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5616-416: The United Kingdom, and the United States. Provision for enlargement was, however, given by Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that membership is open to any "European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area". During the Korean War , Pakistan sided with the West in their fight against communism . By joining

5724-443: The Uruguay River]"), then for a few years the " Eastern Province ". Since its independence, the country has been known as " República Oriental del Uruguay ", which literally translates to " Republic East of the Uruguay [River]". However, it is officially translated either as the " Oriental Republic of Uruguay " or the " Eastern Republic of Uruguay ". Uruguay was first inhabited around 13,000 years ago by hunter-gatherers . It

5832-401: The Uruguayan and Swiss governments discussed a possible agreement for the purchase of ten Swiss Air Force Northrop F-5 plus engines, spare parts and training, but no actual progress was made. The Uruguayan Air Force also used to show interest on the IA-58D Pucará Delta modernization program offered by Fábrica Argentina de Aviones , but more recently, among some of the possible aircraft that

5940-408: The Uruguayan head of government whom they both had helped to gain power. The Triple Alliance declared war on the Paraguayan leader Francisco Solano López . The resulting Paraguayan War ended with the invasion of Paraguay and its defeat by the armies of the three countries. Montevideo was used as a supply station by the Brazilian navy, and it experienced a period of prosperity and relative calm during

6048-400: The World " index. According to the V-Dem Democracy indices in 2023, Uruguay ranked 31st in the world on electoral democracy and 2nd behind Switzerland on citizen-initiated direct democracy. Uruguay shared 14th place along with Canada, Estonia, and Iceland as least corrupt in the World Corruption Perceptions Index composed by Transparency International in 2022, beating out countries such as

6156-476: The annexation, the Thirty-Three Orientals , led by Juan Antonio Lavalleja , declared independence on 25 August 1825, supported by the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata (present-day Argentina). This led to the 500-day-long Cisplatine War . Neither side gained the upper hand, and in 1828, the Treaty of Montevideo , fostered by the United Kingdom through the diplomatic efforts of Viscount John Ponsonby , gave birth to Uruguay as an independent state. 25 August

6264-447: The awareness of the aviation with military potential. In 1935 the Military Aeronautics ( Aeronáutica Militar ) was established and transformed the military aviation of Uruguay into a more professional weapon of the National Army. New units and airbases were created, and also new and more modern aircraft types were introduced into service. Among the aircraft used during this period were de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth and IMAM Ro.37 . At

6372-471: The beginning of 1935, the Uruguayan Army suppressed an armed movement against Gabriel Terra government by members of different political factions. Military operations such as the Battle of Paso de Morlan and the bombardment of revolutionary positions with Tiger Moth aircraft meant the first combat use of military aviation in Uruguay. Then, during 1942 Curtiss SNC-1 Falcon and North American T-6 Texan training aircraft began their service in Uruguay , as did

6480-423: The capital. The siege of Montevideo , began in February 1843 and lasted nine years. The besieged Uruguayans called on resident foreigners for help, which led to a French and an Italian legion being formed, the latter led by the exiled Giuseppe Garibaldi . In 1845, Britain and France intervened against Rosas to restore commerce to normal levels in the region. Their efforts proved ineffective, and by 1849, tired of

6588-407: The co-participation politics that had begun in 1872. Batlle had two terms (1903–07 and 1911–15) during which he instituted major reforms, such as a welfare program, government participation in the economy, and a plural executive. Gabriel Terra became president in March 1931. His inauguration coincided with the effects of the Great Depression , and the social climate became tense as a result of

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6696-409: The concept, if excepting the logistical support allowed to France during the First Indochina War . The Mutual Defense Assistance Act created the "Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP )," which became an integral component in the federal government's policy of containment of Soviet expansion. This program differed from the World War II-era Lend-Lease program in that it never needed refunding from

6804-417: The connectional defenses, having in mind a global resistance to Communist expansion of the signatories. Truman sent a first bill to Congress on 25 July 1949, the day he ratified the North Atlantic Treaty but congressional opposition forced submission of a new legislation, which specified the recipients and the amounts of assistance. Administration planners believed the MDAA's immediate effects would be to raise

6912-431: The constitution by popular initiative, which culminates in a nationwide referendum . This method has been used several times over the past 15 years: to confirm a law renouncing prosecution of members of the military who violated human rights during the military regime (1973–1985); to stop privatization of public utility companies; to defend pensioners' incomes; and to protect water resources. For most of Uruguay's history,

7020-424: The country that benefits any military assistance. Between 1950 and 1967, $ 33.4 billion in arms and services and $ 3.3 billion worth of surplus weaponry were provided under the program. On 4 April 1949, the foreign ministers from 12 countries signed the North Atlantic Treaty at the Departmental Auditorium in Washington D.C.: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,

7128-457: The country's military rule, emerged as the new president as the Broad Front won the election for a second time. Abortion was legalized in 2012, followed by same-sex marriage and cannabis in the following year, making Uruguay the first country in the modern era to legalize cannabis. In 2014, Tabaré Vázquez was elected to a non-consecutive second presidential term, which began on 1 March 2015. In 2020, after 15 years of left-wing rule, he

7236-425: The country. These storms can be strong; they can bring squalls , hail , and sometimes even tornadoes . The country experiences extratropical cyclones but no tropical cyclones, due to the fact that the South Atlantic Ocean is rarely warm enough for their development. Both summer and winter weather may vary from day to day with the passing of storm fronts, where a hot northerly wind may occasionally be followed by

7344-410: The countryside, and the liberal Colorados (Reds), led by the first President Fructuoso Rivera , representing the business interests of Montevideo. The Uruguayan parties received support from warring political factions in neighboring Argentina , which became involved in Uruguayan affairs. The Colorados favored the exiled Argentine liberal Unitarios , many of whom had taken refuge in Montevideo, while

7452-447: The development of specific country missions, including ones in Austria (1947–1950), China (1946–1948), Ireland (1948–1951), and Trieste (1947–1952). In the immediate aftermath of World War II , Western arsenals experienced significant depletion and wear. Public funds were primarily allocated to reconstruction efforts. Even the U.S. arsenal exhibited noticeable signs of shortages and deterioration. Military officials began calling for

7560-490: The economy did not improve and deteriorated after 1980; the gross domestic product (GDP) fell by 20%, and unemployment rose to 17%. The state intervened by trying to bail out failing companies and banks. A new constitution, drafted by the military, was rejected in a November 1980 referendum. Following the referendum, the armed forces announced a plan for the return to civilian rule, and national elections were held in 1984. Colorado Party leader Julio María Sanguinetti won

7668-515: The error and realizing that they were firing at Uruguayan planes, communicated over radio to an Air Force station in Cerrito de la Victoria , Montevideo , a request to not be flown over to avoid confusion, specially after one of these rebel ships had already been attacked by Argentine Air Force pilots loyal to Perón. In 1956 the Military Air Force was, for the first time, referred to as the Uruguayan Air Force, and thus it could be considered that from this point forward this name began being used. One of

7776-605: The failed Tricolor Revolution in 1875 and the Revolution of the Quebracho in 1886. The Colorado effort to reduce Blancos to only three departments caused a Blanco uprising of 1897, which ended with creating 16 departments, of which the Blancos now had control over six. Blancos were given ⅓ seats in Congress. This division of power lasted until President Jose Batlle y Ordonez instituted his political reforms, which caused

7884-403: The first Europeans to enter the region of present-day Uruguay in 1512. The Spanish arrived in present-day Uruguay in 1515 but were the first to set foot in the area, claiming it for the crown. The indigenous peoples' fierce resistance to conquest , combined with the absence of valuable resources, limited European settlement in the region during the 16th and 17th centuries. Uruguay then became

7992-406: The first half of the 19th century. From the late 19th century to the early 20th century, numerous pioneering economic, labor, and social reforms were implemented, which led to the creation of a highly developed welfare state, which is why the country began to be known as "Switzerland of the Americas". However, a series of economic crises and the fight against far-left urban guerrilla warfare in

8100-622: The first landing of a Uruguayan aircraft in Antarctica, on January 28, 1984, with an Fairchild-Hiller FH-227D . Since the end of the military government, the Air Force has returned to its normal tasks, and always acting under the command of the President and in agreement with the Minister of National Defense, without having entered the country's politics again, whose participation, in addition, has been forbidden in almost all activities for

8208-438: The first milestones of the Uruguayan Air Force was also in 1956, when as a result of the Army and later Air Force capability of sustaining a high level of flight training with its F-51D aircraft, flying over 4,000 hours in one year and through the help of the Military Assistance Program , the Aviation Group No. 2 (Fighters) ( Grupo de Aviación N.° 2 (Caza) ) received its first jet aircraft, four Lockheed T-33A-5-LO that arrived at

8316-604: The first operator of the H variant of the Cessna 206 , using them for transport, training and surveillance. Two Eurocopter AS365N2 Dauphin for search and rescue and VIP transport missions were also purchased during 1998, followed by 13 Aermacchi T-260EU in 1999, a new basic trainer for the Military School of Aeronautics ( Escuela Militar de Aeronáutica ) in Pando , Canelones . On April 27, 1994, through Decree No. 177/994 of

8424-427: The flag carrier First Uruguayan Air Navigation Lines ( Primeras Líneas Uruguayas de Navegación Aérea ) and provide passenger and cargo services to different cities in the interior of the country and also abroad. TAMU began operating Douglas C-47 Skytrain and would later use Fokker F27 Friendship , Fairchild-Hiller FH-227D , Embraer C-95 Bandeirante and CASA C-212 Aviocar of the Uruguayan Air Force. The service of

8532-464: The government. President Jorge Pacheco declared a state of emergency in 1968, followed by a further suspension of civil liberties in 1972. In 1973, amid increasing economic and political turmoil, the armed forces, asked by President Juan María Bordaberry , disbanded Parliament and established a civilian-military regime . The CIA -backed campaign of political repression and state terror involving intelligence operations and assassination of opponents

8640-746: The headquarters of Air Brigade I . Boiso Lanza, however, was the first fatality of the Uruguayan military aviation. He died in a plane crash on 10 August 1918, when he was training in France , and later became the namesake of Cap. Juan Manuel Boiso Lanza Air Base , where the General Command of the Uruguayan Air Force is located in Montevideo . In his honor, August 10 was also made the military aviation martyrs day. Along with two other young Army officers, Adhemar Saenz Lacueva and Esteban Cristi ,

8748-638: The high command, and the Command School ( Escuela de Comando y Estado Mayor Aéreo ) are based at Capitán Boiso Lanza Air Base ( SUBL ) in Montevideo; Air Squadron 7 is based at Ángel S. Adami Airport ( SUAA ), also in Montevideo; and the EMA is based at Gen. Artigas Air Base ( SUAG ) in Pando . The Aeronautics Technical School ( Escuela Técnica de Aeronáutica ) is located in Toledo Sur in

8856-903: The immediate authority of the Ministry of National Defense , became the direct command of the Military Air Force. On June 16, 1955, the Argentine Navy, supported by members of the Army and the Argentine Air Force rebelled against the Government of Juan Perón , in what is known as the Revolución Libertadora . Therefore, the Uruguayan Military Air Force had to change its operational routine according to orders issued by

8964-498: The introduction of a new defense legislation in 1947, arguing that depleted inventories of surplus World War II-vintage armaments, piecemeal planning of new armaments and restrictions on presidential authority threatened current and future efforts to arm allied nations. New legislation became a necessity by mid-1948 with the negotiation of the North Atlantic Treaty and the necessity to provide military aid to strengthen

9072-506: The lack of jobs. There were confrontations in which police and leftists died. In 1933, Terra organized a coup d'état, dissolving the General Assembly and governing by decree. A new constitution was promulgated in 1934, transferring powers to the president. In general, the Terra government weakened or neutralized economic nationalism and social reform. In 1938, general elections were held, and Terra's brother-in-law, General Alfredo Baldomir ,

9180-475: The last uprising by Blancos in 1904 that ended with the Battle of Masoller and the death of Blanco leader Aparicio Saravia . Between 1875 and 1890, the military became the center of power. During this authoritarian period, the government took steps toward the organization of the country as a modern state, encouraging its economic and social transformation. Pressure groups (consisting mainly of businessmen, hacendados , and industrialists) were organized and had

9288-568: The late 1960s and early 1970s culminated in the 1973 coup d'état , which established a civic-military dictatorship until 1985. Uruguay is today a democratic constitutional republic , with a president who serves as both head of state and head of government . Uruguay is described as a "full democracy" and is highly ranked in international measurements of government transparency, economic freedom, social progress, income equality , per capita income , innovation, and infrastructure. The country has fully legalized cannabis (the first country in

9396-483: The morale of friendly nations and prove U.S. reliability and resolve to meet Communist worldwide threats. The MDAA also institutionalized the concept of specific military aid programs, a result ensured by adoption of similar legislation in 1950 and an increase in annual spending on military aid to $ 5.222 billion after the outbreak of the Korean War - the very first large-scale test of the validity and practicability of

9504-445: The presidency and served from 1985 to 1990. The first Sanguinetti administration implemented economic reforms and consolidated democracy following the country's years under military rule. The National Party's Luis Alberto Lacalle won the 1989 presidential election, and a referendum endorsed amnesty for human rights abusers. Sanguinetti was then re-elected in 1994. Both presidents continued the economic structural reforms initiated after

9612-521: The reinstatement of democracy. The 1999 national elections were held under a new electoral system established by a 1996 constitutional amendment. Colorado Party candidate Jorge Batlle , aided by the support of the National Party, defeated Broad Front candidate Tabaré Vázquez . The formal coalition ended in November 2002, when the Blancos withdrew their ministers from the cabinet, although

9720-656: The same time, the Mutual Defense Assistance Control Act of 1951, also known or referred to as the Battle Act , (65 Stat. 644; 22 U.S.C. 1611 et seq.) was also passed; it banned U.S. assistance to countries doing business with the Soviet Union and was so-named after its sponsor, Representative Laurie C. Battle of Alabama. Strong motivation for this "control" act also came from export control concerns, following their tightening by

9828-433: The school that was formed was the only military aviation facility in Uruguay until 1935, and used several European aircraft types in fairly large numbers before American aircraft became the most predominant ones. During the twenties, and among them, were sixteen Avro 504 K, thirteen Breguet 14 , five Castaibert 913-IV and twenty-eight Nieuport 27 . These pioneering years saw many air routes opened and an overall increase in

9936-437: The south of the country receives less precipitation than the north. For example, Montevideo receives approximately 1,100 millimetres (43 in) of precipitation per year, while the city of Rivera in the northeast receives 1,600 millimetres (63 in). The heaviest precipitation occurs during the autumn months, although more frequent rainy spells occur in winter. But periods of drought or excessive rain can occur anytime during

10044-417: The south to 14 °C (57 °F) in the north, while summer average daily temperatures range from 21 °C (70 °F) in the southeast to 25 °C (77 °F) in the northwest. The southeast is considerably cooler than the rest of the country, especially during spring, when the ocean with cold water after the winter cools down the temperature of the air and brings more humidity to that region. However,

10152-551: The technological advances that aerial warfare was acquiring through the experiences of conflicts during the late 20th century and during the 21st century, which, however, has not prevented the squadron and the Air Force itself from successfully participating in joint exercises between various Air Forces in the region , such as CRUZEX in Brazil or SALITRE in Chile . In May 2013 eighteen refurbished Sukhoi Su-30 MkI were offered by

10260-420: The time had the highest per capita number of political prisoners in the world. "Kaufman, who spoke at the U.S. Congressional Hearings of 1976 on behalf of Amnesty International , estimated that one in every five Uruguayans went into exile, one in fifty were detained, and one in five hundred went to prison (most of them tortured)." Social spending was reduced, and many state-owned companies were privatized. However,

10368-462: The war, both withdrew after signing a treaty favorable to Rosas. It appeared that Montevideo would finally fall when an uprising against Rosas, led by Justo José de Urquiza , governor of Argentina's Entre Ríos Province , began. The Brazilian intervention in May 1851 on behalf of the Colorados, combined with the uprising, changed the situation, and Oribe was defeated. The siege of Montevideo was lifted, and

10476-520: The war. The first railway line was assembled in Uruguay in 1867, and a branch consisting of a horse-drawn train was opened. The present-day State Railways Administration of Uruguay maintains 2,900 km of extendable railway network. The constitutional government of General Lorenzo Batlle y Grau (1868–72) suppressed the Revolution of the Lances by the Blancos . After two years of struggle,

10584-567: The wetland areas of the east, three in the central hill country, and one in the west along the Rio Uruguay. Uruguay is home to the Uruguayan savanna terrestrial ecoregion. The country had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 3.61/10, ranking it 147th globally out of 172 countries. Located entirely within the southern temperate zone, Uruguay has a climate that is relatively mild and fairly uniform nationwide. According to

10692-621: The world to do so), as well as same-sex marriage and abortion . It is a founding member of the United Nations , OAS , and Mercosur . The country of Uruguay takes its name from the Río Uruguay , from the Indigenous Guaraní language. There are several interpretations, including "bird-river" ("the river of the uru , via Charruan , urú being a common noun of any wild fowl). The name could also refer to

10800-514: The year. National extreme temperatures at sea level are, 44 °C (111 °F) in Paysandú city (20 January 1943) and Florida city (14 January 2022), and −11.0 °C (12.2 °F) in Melo city (14 June 1967). Uruguay is a representative democratic republic with a presidential system . The members of government are elected for a five-year term by a universal suffrage system. Uruguay

10908-434: Was also renewed, with the purchase of five Embraer C-95 Bandeirante in 1975 and five CASA C-212 Aviocar in 1981. One brand new Gates Learjet 35A was also purchased in 1981, which was one of the only two military transport jet aircraft, being the last one a C-29 that was introduced in 2018, and sold in 2020. In 1981 two brand new Bell 212 helicopters were also purchased. The Uruguayan Air Force achieved another milestone, with

11016-670: Was amended and reauthorized on July 26, 1950. In 1951, the Economic Cooperation Act and Mutual Defense Assistance Act were succeeded by the Mutual Security Act , and its newly created independent agency, the Mutual Security Administration , to supervise all foreign aid programs, including both military assistance programs and non-military, economic assistance programs that bolstered the defense capability of U.S. allies. About

11124-469: Was called Operation Condor . According to one source, around 180 Uruguayans are known to have been killed and disappeared, with thousands more illegally detained and tortured during the 12-year civil-military rule from 1973 to 1985. Most were killed in Argentina and other neighboring countries, with 36 of them having been killed in Uruguay. According to Edy Kaufman (cited by David Altman ), Uruguay at

11232-471: Was elected president. Under pressure from organized labor and the National Party, Baldomir advocated free elections, freedom of the press, and a new constitution. Although Baldomir declared Uruguay neutral in 1939, British warships and the German ship Admiral Graf Spee fought a battle not far off Uruguay's coast. The Admiral Graf Spee took refuge in Montevideo , claiming sanctuary in a neutral port, but

11340-672: Was later ordered out. In 1945, Uruguay formally signed the Declaration by the United Nations and entered World War II , leading the country to declare war on Germany and Japan . Following the end of the war, it became a founding member of the United Nations . An armed group of Marxist–Leninist urban guerrillas, known as the Tupamaros , emerged in the 1960s, engaging in activities such as bank robbery, kidnapping, and assassination, in addition to attempting an overthrow of

11448-485: Was one of the first graduates from that school, and on 22 June 1913, he carried out the first solo flight by a Uruguayan, flying from Los Cerrillos to Malvín in 1 hour 45 minutes. He then became the first director of the military aviation flight school and continued his military career until reaching the rank of General. He died on July 28, 1971, and became the namesake of Gen. Cesáreo L. Berisso Air Base in Carrasco ,

11556-585: Was ready to receive its first single seat jet fighters, Lockheed F-80C-10-LO Shooting Star. These aircraft arrived in 1958 and replaced the North American F-51D-20-NA Mustang in their mission. In 1959, at the initiative of Brigadier Conrado A. Saez , General Inspector of the Air Force at the time, the Uruguayan Military Air Transport ( Transporte Aéreo Militar Uruguayo ) was founded to complement

11664-448: Was succeeded by Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou , a member of the conservative National Party , as the 42nd President of Uruguay. In 2023, for the first time since 1908, Uruguay's migrant population grew to 3.4 million, representing 3% of the country's foreign-born residents. With 176,214 km (68,037 sq mi) of continental land and 142,199 km (54,903 sq mi) of jurisdictional water and small river islands, Uruguay

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