MONTEVIDEO — Uruguay’s three largest agricultural associations blockaded the highways approaching Montevideo for the third consecutive day Friday, demanding the Lacalle Pou government reverse its decision to ban soy and corn exports and redirect the revenue toward social programs for rural farmers hit by falling commodity prices.
Police deployed tear gas and water cannons after demonstrators attempted to breach a police cordon near the port access road to the port of Montevideo, the country’s primary export terminal. At least 22 people were treated for respiratory distress and three officers were injured, according to the interior ministry.
The government says the export ban — which targets raw agricultural commodities to encourage domestic processing — will generate an estimated $180 million in additional tax revenue annually. Farm groups say the measure will drive small producers out of business and hand market share to Brazil and Argentina.
President Lacalle Pou called an emergency meeting with agricultural leaders but said his government would not reverse the policy. Rural cooperatives have called for a national referendum on the export ban, a move that requires 60,000 signatures to trigger a constitutional review process.
Written by Diego Vargas, Latin America Correspondent