Uruguay Roundup: Football suspended, bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia, fish mortality

Football activities suspended

Uruguay has suspended all football activity for the weekend following the health emergency of Nacional defender Juan Izquierdo. According to CNA, the 27-year-old player is currently stable yet unconscious in the intensive care unit at Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo after experiencing an irregular heartbeat and collapsing during a Copa Libertadores match against São Paulo. The association has announced this suspension for the rights of professional footballers in Uruguay, emphasising the prioritisation of Izquierdo's wellbeing.

Bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia

In a notable diplomatic effort, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay have enhanced bilateral cooperation by forming a joint committee, which recently convened for its inaugural meeting in Montevideo. Chaired by Ahmed Al-Khamshi, Saudi Arabia's Undersecretary of Agriculture, and Nicolas Albertoni, Uruguay's Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, this meeting resulted in the signing of a memorandum establishing a joint business council. TV Brics highlights that this collaborative initiative aims to strengthen the trade and diplomatic relations that have existed since 1974.

Increased fish mortality

In environmental news, low temperatures have led to significant fish mortality in the Uruguayan rivers, particularly the Santa Lucia and Negro Rivers. The Assembly for the Water of the Santa Lucia River highlighted the necessity for precautionary measures following the alarming reports of large-scale fish deaths, primarily shad, attributed to freezing temperatures since June, as reported by Prensa Latina. This issue has also been mirrored in Argentina's lower Paraná river basin, prompting discussions around environmental management and conservation strategies.

Uruguay to reduce beef exports to China

Uruguay is actively seeking to reduce its dependency on China for beef exports, a sector significantly impacted by a decelerating Chinese economy. Historically, China has served as the primary market for Uruguayan beef; however, as of August 2023, North America has emerged as the leading revenue source, now accounting for 32% of beef export revenue compared to China's 30%. MercoPress adds that from January to August, Uruguay's beef exports reached US$1.223 billion, exhibiting a slight increase in volume despite an 11% decrease in average prices. Additionally, markets such as the European Union and Israel are contributing to the country’s diversified export strategy. The USDA, however, projects a moderate uptick in Chinese demand for the latter half of the year amidst an anticipated increase in domestic meat production in China.

UAE congratulates Uruguay on Independence Day

UAE leaders, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, sent congratulatory messages to President Luis Lacalle Pou of Uruguay on the occasion of Uruguay's Independence Day, celebrated on August 25th to mark its independence from Brazil in 1825, reports The Siasat Daily.