'Argentina is undergoing an autarkic process,' Mujica

Uruguayan president José “Pepe” Mujica warned that Argentina is “undergoing a highly autarkic process,” although he expressed hopes that that circumstance could change in the future.

“Argentina is undergoing a highly autarkic process,” Mujica said as he addressed reporters in Montevideo, but added that he believes “that will change. The river (río de la plata) that separates us also brings us together.”

Nonetheless, Mujica highlighted the fact that Venezuela could soon replace Argentina as Uruguay’s third main trade partner.

Bilateral relations between Argentina and Uruguay hit a tense spot when the neighbouring country announced plans to deepen a navigation channel in the río de la Plata river. “My mission is to monitor that Brazil and Argentina get closer to the Paficic ocean and that we get closer one with the other, because that is the way I believe will be strong in the future.”

Earlier this week, Uruguay came under fire at it was revealed that they referred to Malvinas islands as Falkland in an internal diplomatic document.