Press release

Minister for the Americas attends inauguration of Uruguayan President

Minister for the Americas, Wendy Morton, will attend the inauguration of new Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou in Montevideo.

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government
Minister Wendy Morton cutting the ribbon for the new hospital

Minister Wendy Morton officially opens the new wing of the British hospital in Montevideo.

Wendy Morton will become the first Foreign Office Minister to visit Uruguay in 6 years as she attends the Presidential inauguration of Luis Lacalle Pou in Montevideo today (Sunday 1 March).

The Minister will also travel to Buenos Aires on Monday for discussions with key members of the new Argentine Government, who came to power in December 2019.

Ahead of the visit, Minister Morton said:

On my first visit to the region as Minister, I am honoured to represent the UK at the inauguration of the new Uruguayan President, and have the opportunity to visit Argentina.

This trip emphasises the UK’s commitment to working with governments across Latin America, broadening our relations across trade, climate change and global security.

While in Montevideo, the Minister will open the new wing of the British Hospital. Founded by British immigrants to Uruguay over 140 years ago, the hospital continues to serve the British community and also treats emergency medical evacuees from the Falklands, South Georgia and British Antarctic Territory.

The Minister will cross the border to Argentina for a series of meetings with the new Government of Alberto Fernández. She will meet new Deputy Foreign Minister Pablo Tettamanti to discuss the strengthening of UK-Argentina ties and working together on climate change and human rights, while she will discuss boosting trade with Production Minister Matías Kulfas.

Further information

Media enquiries

For journalists

Updates to this page

Published 1 March 2020