The section is staffed by five Foreign Service Officers and seven local specialists who share responsibility for political, economic and commercial affairs and related areas. The section’s primary mission is to maintain positive and constructive relations between the United States and Uruguay in the political and economic area.
It reports to U.S. government agencies on areas of interest, responds to their requests, and organizes the visits to Uruguay of high-level executive and legislative branch officials. In addition, it provides assistance to U.S. businesses investing in and trading with Uruguay, and acts as liaison with regionally-based organizations.
Political Unit
Explains U.S. policies in areas such as human rights, terrorism, narcotics and international crime, and political military affairs to the government of Uruguay and seeks its support in international fora. Cultivates contacts in the executive, legislative and judicial branches to track and report on internal Uruguayan political developments of interest to the U.S. Coordinates and acts as liaison with regional political organizations such as the OAS.
Contact information: (+598) 1770-2000 / Fax: (+598) 2418 8581
Key Reports:
- 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Global Report
– 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Uruguay - International Trafficking in Persons Report
– Uruguay 2022 Segment of this Report - International Religious Freedom Report 2022
– Uruguay Segment of this Report 2022 - International Child Labor Report
U.S. Guidelines for U.S. Diplomatic Mission Support to Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders
The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to putting human rights and democratic principles at the center of our foreign policy.
The Department of State’s objective is to enable human rights defenders to promote and defend human rights without hindrance or undue restriction and free from fear of retribution against them or their families.
Learn more about the Human Rights Defenders Guidelines
Economic Unit
Explains U.S. policies in areas such as trade, finance, investment and agriculture to the government of Uruguay and seeks its support in international fora. Cultivates contacts in the executive and legislative branches to analyze and report on the Uruguayan economy and the government’s domestic and international economic policy. Coordinates and acts as liaison with regional economic organizations such as MERCOSUR and ALADI.
Key Reports:
Commercial Unit
Email: Office.montevideo@trade.gov
Works with U.S. government agencies to facilitate trade between the U.S. and Uruguay. Seeks opportunities for U.S. exports and investment, and assists U.S. exporters and investors on doing business in Uruguay and MERCOSUR. Provides information and assistance to Uruguayan firms that want to represent U.S. companies or import U.S. goods and services.
Key documents and organizations:
Agreements:
- Air Transport Agreement (Open Skies)
– Text of the agreement - Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)
– Text of the agreement (PDF 119 KB)
– Annex I (PDF 80 KB) – Annex II (PDF 38 KB) – Annex III (PDF 35 KB) - Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA)
– Text of the agreement
Environment, Science, Technology and Health Unit
Explain U.S. policies on environmental, scientific, technological and health (ESTH) issues to the government of Uruguay and seeks its support in international fora. Cultivates contacts in the executive and legislative branches and NGOs to analyze and report on ESTH issues. Establishes bilateral government and NGO linkages and seeks assistance for the Uruguayan health sector and environmental protection.
Key organizations:
