{"id":7152,"date":"2020-06-28T02:51:16","date_gmt":"2020-06-28T06:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/latinamericasecurityreport.com\/?p=7152"},"modified":"2020-06-28T02:51:16","modified_gmt":"2020-06-28T06:51:16","slug":"uruguay-quietly-beats-coronavirus-distinguishing-itself-from-its-south-american-neighbors-yet-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latinamericasecurityreport.com\/?p=7152","title":{"rendered":"Uruguay Quietly Beats Coronavirus, Distinguishing Itself from Its South American Neighbors \u2013 Yet Again"},"content":{"rendered":"

Life is resuming in Uruguay, where some students returned to school in April and the remainder will go back in on June 29. Daniel Rodrigues\/adhoc\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Latin America is the world\u2019s new coronavirus epicenter<\/a>, but Uruguay \u2013 a small South American nation of 3.5 million people \u2013 has so far avoided the devastation raging across the rest of the region.<\/p>\n

As of June 14, the country had 847 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 23 deaths<\/a>. By population that\u2019s 244 cases and 7 deaths per 1 million inhabitants, well below neighboring Brazil, with 4,001 cases and 201 deaths per million; and Chile, with 9,118 cases and 174 deaths per million.<\/p>\n

Uruguay moved swiftly<\/a> in March to enact social distancing, testing and community tracing, though President Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou never decreed a lockdown. Offices and shops are open for business, and Uruguayan children will return to school by June 29<\/a> even with winter and flu season coming to the Southern Hemisphere.<\/p>\n

In avoiding the tragedy playing out nearby, Uruguay continues its tradition of bucking regional trends. My research on Latin American politics shows that the country has long stood out for its vibrant participatory democracy<\/a>, low inequality<\/a> and expansive social policies<\/a> \u2013 all attributes that help explain Uruguay\u2019s relative success in the pandemic.<\/p>\n

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The main plaza in Montevideo, Uruguay\u2019s capital. Wikimedia\/Flashpacker Travel Guide, CC BY<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n

Uruguayans support democracy<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a region marked by political discontent, Uruguayans generally like their political system. In 2016, 57%<\/a> of Uruguayans were satisfied with democracy, compared to 47% of Argentines, 34% of Brazilians and 40% percent of Chileans, according to Vanderbilt University\u2019s Latin American Political Opinion Project.<\/p>\n

Satisfaction with Uruguay\u2019s democracy is matched by high trust in political institutions. In 2016, 65%<\/a> of Uruguayans voiced support for institutions, Vanderbilt\u2019s data shows. This is 7 points higher than Argentina and over 20 points higher than Brazil or Chile.<\/p>\n