uruguay

2002

2002 BCE

Uruguay breaks diplomatic ties with Cuba, after Cuba accuses it of being a US lackey for sponsoring a UN resolution which calls on Havana to implement human rights reforms.

1994

1994 BCE

Julio Maria Sanguinetti elected president.

1985

1985 BCE

Army and political leaders agree on return to constitutional government and the release of political prisoners; law grants amnesty to members of the armed forces accused of human rights violations during years of dictatorship; Julio Maria Sanguinetti becomes president.

1971

1971 BCE

British ambassador to Uruguay Geoffrey Jackson kidnapped by Tupamaros guerrillas and held for eight months. He is freed shortly after a mass jail break-out by Tupamaros convicts which officials deny was arranged in exchange for Jackson's release.

1951

1951 BCE

President replaced with nine-member council in accordance with new constitution.

1903-15

1903 BCE

Reformist Jose Batlle y Ordonez (Colorado Party) gives women the franchise and establishes a welfare state, disestablishes the church and abolishes the death penalty during two successive terms as president.

1838-65

1838 BCE

Civil war between Blancos, or Whites - the future conservative party - and Colorados, or Reds - the future liberals.

1828

1826 BCE

Brazil, Argentina renounce claims to territories which become the Eastern Republic of Uruguay.

1726

1726 BCE

Spanish found Montevideo and take over Uruguay from the Portuguese; many of the indigenous people are killed.

1973

Mar 30, 1973

Armed forces seize power and promise to encourage foreign investment, but usher in a period of extreme repression during which Uruguay becomes known as "the torture chamber of Latin America" and accumulates the largest number of political prisoners per capita in the world.