Uruguay’s INAU distributed $140 million in unused 2025 budget funds to employees

Uruguay’s child and adolescent institute distributed 140 million pesos in unused 2025 budget funds among its employees, prompting criticism from opposition lawmakers during a congressional budget review.

The disclosure emerged during a session of the Budget Committee, meeting jointly with the Finance Committee to consider the government’s accounts. Colorado senator Pedro Bordaberry publicized the issue and questioned whether the Economy Ministry had approved the payment.

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This government has lost its way. INAU’s board had 140 million pesos left over. What did it do? It distributed them among its employees!

According to the committee transcript, INAU Vice President Mauricio Fuentes said the institute had executed 98.9% of the budget assigned to personnel spending, known as category zero. That figure included the distribution of 140 million pesos among employees.

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It is not a practice that has not occurred in all periods of government, and it is certainly not a practice exclusive to INAU.

Colorado lawmakers Robert Silva and Bordaberry challenged the decision. Silva said the money could have addressed needs identified by INAU, while Bordaberry said the Technological University needed the same amount for several programs. He urged the institute not to repeat the measure and suggested returning the money so it could be redirected to the university or used to combat child poverty.

Fuentes defended the decision by putting it in a broader administrative context. “It is not a practice that has not occurred in all periods of government, and it is certainly not a practice exclusive to INAU,” he said. National Party lawmakers Graciela Bianchi and Javier García nevertheless said the practice was wrong, even if previous administrations or other public bodies had done something similar.

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Even if it happened under previous administrations, including the previous government, it is wrong.