On August 25, 2025, Uruguay marked a remarkable milestone: the bicentennial of its Declaration of Independence, first proclaimed in 1825 by the Congress of Florida at Piedra Alta. Two centuries after the foundational law that annulled the 1821 annexation of its territory and affirmed its sovereignty, Uruguay stands recognized as a stable, democratic republic with a strong national identity. At a gala dinner held at the Intercontinental Doha Beach Resort in Qatar, the Uruguayan community and Qatari dignitaries gathered to celebrate this historic occasion, shining a spotlight not just on Uruguay’s history, but also its present-day achievements and international partnerships.
Ambassador of Uruguay to Qatar, HE Marcelo Gerona, set the tone for the evening by emphasizing the strong and complementary relationship between Uruguay and Qatar. According to Qatar Tribune, Gerona pointed out that Uruguay’s globally recognized food production capabilities align perfectly with Qatar’s food security goals, while Qatar’s own energy and fertilizer exports are vital to Uruguay’s agriculture and industry. "Strengthening bilateral trade and investment remains a shared priority," he said, underscoring a partnership built on mutual benefit and trust.
The event, attended by senior Qatari officials—including Minister of State HE Eng. Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari, Ambassador HE Ibrahim Yousif Abdullah Fakhroo, and HE Jassim bin Mohammed Hassan Al Asmakh, along with members of the diplomatic corps and the Uruguayan community—was a testament to the enduring bonds between the two nations. Guests were treated to a documentary showcasing Uruguay’s rich culture, followed by a ceremonial cake-cutting and musical performances that brought a taste of home to Uruguayans living abroad.
Ambassador Gerona didn’t shy away from the challenges facing the global community. He praised Qatar’s diplomatic leadership, especially under His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for its mediation efforts in international conflicts. On the ongoing Gaza conflict, Gerona reiterated Uruguay’s principled stance: a call for an end to violence, humanitarian access, a lasting ceasefire, and a two-state solution based on 1967 borders. He also condemned the June 2025 attack on Qatari territory, expressing Uruguay’s solidarity and calling for respect for Qatar’s sovereignty.
Uruguay’s commitment to peace and democratic values, Gerona noted, is rooted in the country’s history and the enduring principles of José Gervasio Artigas, the father of Uruguayan nationhood. The ambassador highlighted Uruguay’s recent peaceful democratic transition as evidence of its strong institutions and vibrant multi-party system. International organizations, he said, consistently rank Uruguay among the world’s most transparent and fully democratic nations.
But what truly sets Uruguay apart in today’s world? According to Qatar Tribune, Ambassador Gerona outlined several economic achievements: "Uruguay has maintained macroeconomic stability, avoided hyperinflation, and achieved high income distribution and human development." The country is a key global exporter not only of food, but also renewable energy and software, and plays an active role in regional trade through Mercosur. Recent agreements between Uruguay’s Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries and Qatar’s Ministry of Municipality—covering health certificates for breeding cattle, equines, ovines, and bee products—pave the way for even greater genetic exchange and trade between the two nations.
Uruguayan community members in Qatar echoed these themes of unity and gratitude. Eng. Claudio Francolino, a construction engineer living in Doha, told Qatar Tribune, "Celebrating 200 years of our independence celebrations alongside fellow Uruguayans, even from thousands of miles away, is a powerful expression of unity and solidarity within our community." She thanked the ambassador for his efforts to unite Uruguayans abroad, adding, "Moments like these make it feel like we’re part of one big family."
Uruguay’s economic model, built on food security, renewable energy, and transparent governance, offers a compelling contrast—and perhaps a lesson—to other countries facing economic headwinds. Take Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), for example. According to Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, T&T gained independence in 1962, one of 33 countries to do so between 1960 and 1965. While only Singapore, Malta, Kuwait, and Cyprus among those peers now have higher per capita incomes, T&T’s per capita income is falling, inequality is widening, and about 100,000 out of 450,000 households experience varying degrees of poverty. The country is overdependent on energy, suffers from weak exports, negligible inward investment, declining foreign exchange reserves, increased debt, and a high food import bill. Since 2009, T&T has been running deficit budgets, with no economic recovery in sight.
Other small countries, like Iceland and Guyana, show what’s possible with the right focus. Guyana, with a population of 800,000, is self-sufficient in food. Iceland, with just 360,000 people, exceeds domestic demand for fish and is the world’s largest green energy producer per capita, thanks to wind and geothermal energy. Uruguay, closer to home, has a population of 3.4 million but provides food for 30 million, exports to 150 countries—including North America, Europe, and China—and generates 98 percent of its electricity from renewable resources. As Trinidad and Tobago Guardian notes, "Uruguay is not a country abundant in natural resources, but the sun, water and wind are used effectively." Foreign investors are drawn to Uruguay by confidence, security, exceptional support, and trust, all underpinned by robust information systems and appropriate technologies.
For T&T, the warning signs are clear. The country has dropped five places in prosperity rankings over the last decade, now ranking 80th out of 180 countries in corruption perception, with 80 countries less corrupt and 98 more corrupt. In the last ease of doing business ranking, 104 countries were easier to do business with than T&T. The IMF has labeled T&T as one of the least competitive countries in the world, likely to perform at a low level over the next two years. In innovation, T&T is ranked 51st, last among high-income countries by the World Bank, and 15th out of 18 in Latin America and the Caribbean.
What’s the way forward? As Trinidad and Tobago Guardian argues, "A shift in gear is necessary and must come in the next budget." The country must diversify exports, increase tourist flows, grow the economy, and improve self-sufficiency. Learning from Uruguay’s example—leveraging renewable energy, building food security, and fostering transparent, stable governance—could be the key to a brighter future.
As Uruguay celebrates two centuries of independence and democracy, its story is a reminder that small nations can punch well above their weight. With the right mix of vision, resilience, and openness to partnership, countries like Uruguay show that a secure, prosperous, and united future is within reach.