Wilson Ferreira Aldunate

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Wilson Ferreira Aldunate (1919–1988) was a Uruguayan politician and a historically important member of the National Party.[1]

Biography

He was Minister of Agriculture during the second

National Council of Government
with Blanco majority (1963-1967).

As a Senator he led the Por la Patria faction and made weekly radio addresses.[2] He was among the more liberal members of his party and a fierce opposer of President Jorge Pacheco Areco.

He ran for president in the

Ley de Lemas
system in effect at the time, Bordaberry won the presidency because the combined Colorado vote exceeded the combined National vote by just over 12,800 votes.

After the

US Senate, denouncing human right abuses in his country and asking for a stop of US military aid to Uruguay.[3]

On June 16, 1984 he returned to Uruguay only to be arrested, which led to protests in Latin America and Spain.[4] As well as protests at home where his party wanted his release.[5] He was released five days after the presidential election; the first thing he did when addressing the crowds was to offer "governability" to the new democratic government. The most critical moment was on the occasion of the parliamentary discussion and passing of the controversial Expiry Law, which Ferreira supported.

He died of cancer in 1988.[6] On his death President Julio María Sanguinetti said "He lived as a gladiator and died a messenger of peace."[7]

He is buried at Cementerio del Buceo, Montevideo.[8]

References

  1. ^ César di Candia (1989). El viento nuestro de cada día: Wilson Fereira Aldunate. Montevideo: Ed. de la Plaza.
  2. ^ Negotiating Democracy: Politicians And Generals in Uruguay by Charles Guy Gillespie, pgs 25, 146, 150, 219, 251, and 258
  3. ^ "Wilson Ferreira addresses the Capitol". EL PAIS. 2010-07-21.
  4. ^ Repression, Exile, and Democracy: Uruguayan Culture by Saúl Sosnowski, pgs 21-22, 30, 35, 40-44, 87-88, 93-94
  5. ^ Observer-Reporter - November 27, 1984
  6. ^ "Remember you are a mortal". El Observador (in Spanish). 24 August 2019.
  7. ^ "Wilson Ferreira, 69, The Longtime Chief of Uruguay Liberals", AP March 16, 1988
  8. ^ "Tribute to Wilson Ferreira". LR21. 2011-03-15.

External links