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LATIN AMERICA | 02-04-2019 07:56

Uruguay President Vázquez removes Army commander for cover-up

General José González removed from post after just two weeks, after it was revealed he covered-up the fact that a retired military officer committed a crime during 1973-1985 dictatorship.

Uruguay's president has removed the commander of the Army for covering up the fact that a retired member of the military committed a crime during the country's 1973-1985 dictatorship.

President Tabaré Vázquez dismissed General José González and five other generals. González had been on the job for just two weeks, after having replaced General Guido Manini Ríos.

Vazquez removed Manini Ríos last month after he questioned how local courts have handled cases involving members of the military accused of dictatorship-era human rights abuses.

The latest crisis broke out after reports showed that in an Army court of honour, a retired military member admitted to throwing the body of a leftist Tupamaru guerrilla into a river in 1973.

González and other members of the tribunal didn't inform the Army or prosecutors.

More than 40 members of the military have been investigated after being accused of human rights crimes. Some of the ageing ones have died in prison.

Hundreds were arrested and tortured during the dictatorship. An estimated 192 people were forcibly disappeared.

- AP

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