Francisco Bustillo, Uruguay’s Foreign Minister, stepped down this Wednesday following leaked audio recordings.
In these recordings, he seemingly asked former Deputy Minister Carolina Ache to withhold chats. These chats were about a passport for Sebastián Marset, an alleged drug dealer.
Local media first reported the resignation. Bustillo later confirmed it in an official statement. He stressed there was “nothing unlawful” in Marset’s passport process.
“I had no role or knowledge in Marset’s passport process,” Bustillo clarified in his statement.
He accused Ache of misrepresenting their conversations. Ache served as Deputy Foreign Minister from March 2020 to December 2022.
After talking to the Public Ministry, Bustillo plans to address the media. He wants to clarify events and counter what he sees as a misleading story.
The media highlighted these audios hours earlier. In them, Bustillo told Ache to hide chats with Deputy Interior Minister, Guillermo Maciel.
These chats identified Marset as a “dangerous drug dealer.” Authorities arrested Marset in the United Arab Emirates. He used a fake Paraguayan passport.
Paraguayan officials suspect Marset planned the murder of an anti-mafia prosecutor, Marcelo Pecci, in Colombia in May 2022.
Background
Uruguay has traditionally maintained a relatively stable political climate. However, instances like these challenge this image.
This incident follows a global trend where leaked information impacts political careers.
The role of media in such exposures has grown in recent years, shedding light on hidden governmental affairs.
The use of fake passports often links to broader issues, like organized crime or espionage. In South America, the battle against drug cartels and their influence remains a top concern.
The arrest of Marset in the United Arab Emirates illustrates the international scope of such issues.
As events unfold, Uruguay’s reputation and its diplomatic relationships may undergo further scrutiny.