Julio María Sanguinetti

Julio María Sanguinetti, Former President of Uruguay (1985-1990 and 1995-2000)

"Since 1953, Sanguinetti has been an editor and columnist for many national and international print media. From 1967 to 1973 he was President of the National Commission of Fine Arts and in 1972 he was a founding member of the Commission of Historical, Artistic and Cultural National Heritage. In 1990 he was President of the PAX Institute, and in 1997 he was Honorary President of the Latin American Center of Journalism.

"Sanguinetti was elected Member of Parliament for three consecutive terms, in 1962 1967 and 1971, and from 1969 to 1971 he also served as Minister of Industry and Commerce. In 1972 he was appointed Minister of Culture and Sport.

"The breakdown of constitutional order by the Armed Forces in 1973 deprived him of his government positions. During this period, Sanguinetti devoted himself to journalism, taking a critical stance towards the Government. He also promoted cultural and sporting activities as President of UNESCO´s Regional Center for the Promotion of Books in Latin America (1975-1984) and vice-President of the Soccer club Peñarol.

"Sanguinetti returned to politics in the early 1980s and headed the delegation of the Partido Colorado (PC) in negotiations with the military government, which led to the signing of the Naval Club Pact in 1984 and a peaceful transition to democracy.

"In 1983 he was elected Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the PC and in 1985 he took office as President of Uruguay, serving until 1990. During his tenure, Uruguay signed the Pact of Montevideo with Brazil and Argentina, a decisive agreement leading to MERCOSUR. He was elected for a second term beginning in 1995 and ending in 2000.

"In 1996 he founded the Circle of Montevideo with the goal of creating new paths for governance and human development in Latin America."


 * Member, Club of Madrid
 * Council, University for Peace
 * International Advisory Committee, Journal of Democracy