Mandy Van DevenJanuary 20, 2013 10:00

Latin America takes action to decriminalize abortion

Roe v. Wade provides framework for progressing past restrictive laws.

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The Uruguayan Senate passes the law legalizing abortion, in Montevideo, on Oct. 17, 2012. Uruguay became only the second country in mostly Catholic South America to legalize abortion when the Senate approved the bill with a vote of 17 to 14. (Miguel Rojo/AFP/Getty Images)

While policymakers may be under the impression that restrictive laws help curb abortion rates, research shows the opposite is true. In places where abortion is illegal or heavily restricted, an unwanted pregnancy leaves women with two options: seek out a clandestine abortion that could be unsafe or continue a pregnancy that was neither chosen nor planned for.

Uruguay approves abortion law

Simeon TegelOctober 18, 2012 06:15

LIMA — Uruguay is set to become the third nation in Latin America to allow abortion on demand. The country’s senate approved a bill Wednesday, by 17 votes to 14, which would permit pregnancy terminations for Uruguayan residents in the first trimester. The move marks a watershed in deeply Catholic Latin America. But there's a catch.

Uruguay’s president mulls a state marijuana monopoly

Jonathan GilbertSeptember 28, 2012 06:16

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay — In November 2010, 68-year-old Argentine writer Alicia Castilla moved across the River Plate to Uruguay in search of a tranquil life. But just months later, her new home became the target of a police drug raid. “Fourteen officers stormed in,” she told GlobalPost. “They thought I was the female version of Pablo Escobar.”

Uruguay votes to legalize abortion

Jill LangloisSeptember 26, 2012 10:10

President Jose Mujica said he will approve the law if the Senate approves the changes, as it had already voted for an earlier, more liberal version of the bill last December.

Fernando Lugo: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay pull out of Paraguay

Jill LangloisJune 24, 2012 13:23

Brazil's foreign ministry said the decision was made "due to the breakdown of democracy in Paraguay."

Uruguay to sell marijuana to registered users

Talia RalphJune 20, 2012 16:40

Uruguay has reportedly passed a series of measures to legalize and regulate marijuana at the state level, giving the government control over the drug's distribution networks, consumer records, and price and taxation.

Uruguay nurses charged over dozens of patient deaths

Alexander BesantMarch 19, 2012 16:18

Two male nurses face murder charges, and a female nurse with covering up the crime, in Uruguay's capital Montevideo after admitting to killing dozens of patients.

Sarah ChildressDecember 28, 2011 15:02

Abortion to be OKed in Uruguay

Another conservative Latin American country takes a step to the left

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It's still a divisive issue. (DANIEL CASELLI/AFP/Getty Images)

Uruguay's decision to allow abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy marked a major departure from the conservative country's politics.

The bill was passed by the senate, and is expected to sail through the lower house. President Jose Mujica has indicated he'd sign the bill into law.

Uruguay senate passes bill to legalize abortion

News DeskDecember 28, 2011 08:17

The debate in the senate lasted 10 hours and saw heated discussion between supporters and opponents of the bill.

Uruguay revokes 'Dirty War' amnesty

News DeskOctober 27, 2011 08:49

Uruguay's congress has revoked an amnesty that protects officers from prosecution for crimes committed while the country was under military rule from 1975 to 1983.