Uruguay

Montevideo, October 18, 2026. Uruguayan media is focusing on the aftermath of Saturday, October 17. El Observador and Subrayado, citing an AFP dispatch, report on unprecedented chaos, according to authorities: at least 1,800 people arrested, including 855 in Paris, a record number according to the police, and 1,500 businesses damaged, according to the Federation of Commerce and Distribution. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced on X that investigations are underway to identify the perpetrators. Paris Deputy Mayor Lamia El Aaraje speaks of a level of violence that, she believes, has never been seen before.

Montevideo Portal puts the mobilization into context: around 550,000 protesters, according to the Interior Ministry, 800,000 according to the organizers, bringing together students, unions, former yellow vests, and far-left groups. The media mentions the rise in the cost of living and fuel, the rejection of the 2027 budget cuts by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, justified by a debt close to 120% of GDP, and the high school movement born on September 17. La Diaria reports one death, hundreds of injured, including dozens of police officers, and over 2,000 detainees, according to its count.

Subrayado details the televised address on Sunday. Macron says he feels rage and shame, judges the violence as unbearable, and assures that nothing justifies, explains, or excuses it. He distinguishes between the rioters and the hundreds of thousands of peaceful protesters, blames extremist left-wing groups joined by many delinquents, promises total transparency, and rapid aid to affected merchants and artisans. La Diaria also reports that he described the protests as legitimate.

The Uruguayan account emphasizes the political calendar: six months away from a presidential election in which he can no longer run, the head of state sees his government accused of not having anticipated the unrest. He has asked to draw all the lessons from this in terms of intelligence and anticipation. El Observador adds an international dimension: Donald Trump writes on Truth Social that France is on fire due to immigration and urges it to close its borders, after similar comments from Vice President JD Vance. The provided articles do not detail the responses to wage demands or the opposition's criticism.