After Mujica: Can Uruguay Maintain Its Progressive Model?

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In a region wracked by drug-related crimes, Uruguay stood out in 2013 when it became the first country in Latin America, and the world, to legalize the growth and sale of marijuana. Critics argued that the move would open the floodgates to increased consumption and abuse, but then-President Jose “Pepe” Mujica argued that the measure would quell drug trafficking in a country where one-third of prison inmates serve time on narcotics-related charges. The decision, while unprecedented, is consistent with Uruguay’s legacy of socially progressive policies; the country legalized abortion in 2012, was among the first in Latin America to establish a welfare state guaranteeing free public education and has been a leader in women’s rights. The country, otherwise known for its soccer superstars, gained international visibility as a beacon of progressive ideals.

For Uruguayans, the global attention was an opportunity to show that, despite being a nation of only 3...

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