Uruguay president defends vehicle discount amid ethics review

President Yamandú Orsi has defended his decision to accept a $25,000 discount on a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV purchased shortly before he assumed the presidency. Speaking at the inauguration of the Northern Horticultural Center in Salto, Orsi stated that any potential errors in his decision would be determined by oversight bodies.

"I make mistakes every day, since I get up," Orsi told reporters when questioned about the discount. He added, "Generally, when there are discounts, I jump right in." When asked about other discounts he uses within his family, he humorously replied, "Sometimes the discount at the corner supermarket."

The National Board of Transparency and Public Ethics (Jutep) is scheduled to examine the case next Wednesday. The board received three complaints from private citizens regarding the vehicle purchase. The discount was reportedly received in late February 2025, just days before Orsi began his term. The SUV is listed on his financial disclosure statement at a value close to $80,000.

Presidential Secretary Jorge Díaz stated on television that the purchase complies with the public ethics code, as Orsi was not a public official at the time the discount was applied. The investigation by Jutep will aim to clarify the circumstances surrounding the discount and its adherence to ethical standards for public officials.