Uruguay's Euthanasia Law Sees Second Case with Advocate Pablo Cánepa's Death

Pablo Cánepa, a 39-year-old graphic designer who had been incapacitated by illness for four years, died on June 1 after undergoing euthanasia. His brother, Eduardo Cánepa, confirmed the procedure, stating that Pablo was "surrounded by family and friends" and that the process was "very agile" and handled with "great humanity and professionalism" by the medical team.

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He left surrounded by family and friends.

This marks the second publicly known case of euthanasia in Uruguay since the law took effect on April 20. The first case involved a 69-year-old woman with terminal cancer who died on May 22. Eduardo Cánepa expressed relief that authorities from the mutual health insurance provider offered support to the family during the difficult time.

Pablo Cánepa, born in Montevideo in 1986, had been living with a progressive, likely autoimmune, condition that affected his motor neurons since 2022. Unable to move except his head, he actively campaigned for the legalization of euthanasia. The law, which came into effect after President Yamandú Orsi signed the regulatory decree and Minister of Public Health Cristina Lustemberg signed the euthanasia protocol, aims to provide a legal option for individuals with irreversible conditions facing intense suffering.

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The process was very agile and the medical team behaved in a very humane and professional manner.

In a farewell message shared on Pablo's Instagram account, Eduardo wrote, "Surrounded by the love of his family and friends, Pablo left this world yesterday. He said goodbye with the humor that characterized him until his last minutes. We will miss him very much." The message accompanied a tribute video, highlighting Pablo's spirit despite his prolonged illness.

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Surrounded by the love of his family and friends, Pablo left this world yesterday. He said goodbye with the humor that characterized him until his last minutes. We will miss him very much.