The Minister of National Defense, Armando Castaingdebat, announced the visit and said that Uruguay is open to participating in other UN peacekeeping operations. He also predicted “news” regarding the Uruguayan military mission in the Golan Heights, between Syria and Israel, and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where more than 700 troops are stationed. He also said that there may be requests for new destinations for the Armed Forces, but he noted that this should be discussed with the incoming government of President Yamandú Orsi

The Uruguayan Minister of Defense described as “normal” the situation of the Uruguayan forces that are part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Forces (UNDOF), deployed in the Golan Heights between Syria and Israel, referring to the situation in Syria, after the fall of the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

“The situation is normal internally among the blue helmets. On Sunday they crossed paths on patrol with the Syrian rebels without major inconveniences,” he told the press during a graduation ceremony for Navy cadets. “They had contacts with the rebels and understood the role of each one,” he added, concerning the armed groups that are in charge in Syria.

The Minister stated that the Uruguayan soldiers in Syria, which number more than 230, “are in perfect conditions.”

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