Uruguay seeks parliament's OK for U.S. Marines visit amid past controversy

The Uruguayan Executive branch has formally requested parliamentary authorization for six U.S. Marines to enter the country for a planned exchange visit. The delegation is expected between July 13 and July 17 of this year, according to a message sent by the Ministry of Defense to the President of the General Assembly.

This visit is part of an agreement established in 2024 between Uruguay's National Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. The original plan included three meetings for this year, but due to scheduling conflicts, authorities decided to consolidate them into a single visit. The activities will be academic in nature, and the Marines will not be carrying weapons during their stay.

The request comes after a controversial incident in September 2025, when a group of U.S. Marines entered Uruguay and conducted military exercises without prior parliamentary approval. Photos of the exchange, focused on semi-rigid boat operations and signaling procedures, were shared by the U.S. Embassy in Uruguay. This past event drew criticism from Senator Javier García and the Pit-Cnt labor union, who questioned the legality and appropriateness of foreign military personnel entering the country without Senate consent.

At the time, Defense Minister Sandra Lazo defended the previous entry, characterizing it as an "academic exchange" that did not require Senate authorization. The current request for authorization suggests a shift towards greater transparency or adherence to protocol following the previous controversy.