Wilson Ferreira Aldunate

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Ferreira and the second or maternal family name is Aldunate.

Wilson Ferreira Aldunate (1919–1988) was a Uruguayan politician and a historically important member of the National Party.

Biography

He was Minister of Agriculture during the second National Council of Government with Blanco majority (1963-1967).

As a Senator he led the Por la Patria faction and made weekly radio addresses.[1] He was among the more liberal members of his party and a fierce opposer of President Jorge Pacheco Areco.

After the 1973 Uruguayan coup d'etat he had conflicts with the Civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay and was a leading non-Leftist to flee to Buenos Aires. He opposed the dictatorship from his exile in many countries; in 1976 he addressed the US Senate, denouncing human right abuses in his country and asking for a stop of US military aid to Uruguay.[2]

On June 16, 1984 he returned to Uruguay only to be arrested, which led to protests in Latin America and Spain.[3] As well as protests at home where his party wanted his release.[4] He was released five days after the presidential election; the first thing he did when addressing the crowds was to offer "governability" to the new democratic government. The most critical moment was on the occasion of the parliamentary discussion and passing of the controversial Expiry Law, which Ferreira supported.

He died of cancer in 1988. On his death President Julio María Sanguinetti said "He lived as a gladiator and died a messenger of peace."[5]

He is buried at Cementerio del Buceo, Montevideo.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Negotiating Democracy: Politicians And Generals in Uruguay by Charles Guy Gillespie, pgs 25, 146, 150, 219, 251, and 258
  2. ↑ "Wilson Ferreira addresses the Capitol". EL PAIS. 2010-07-21.
  3. ↑ Repression, Exile, and Democracy: Uruguayan Culture by Saúl Sosnowski, pgs 21-22, 30, 35, 40-44, 87-88, 93-94
  4. ↑ Observer-Reporter - November 27, 1984
  5. ↑ "Wilson Ferreira, 69, The Longtime Chief of Uruguay Liberals", AP March 16, 1988
  6. ↑ "Tribute to Wilson Ferreira". LR21. 2011-03-15.
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