President Yamandú Orsi is at the center of a political controversy after it was revealed that he purchased a high-end Hyundai Santa Fe SUV with a discount of US$ 25,000.
The transaction took place in February 2025, just eight days before he assumed the presidency on March 1 of that year.
Vehicle Acquired
It is a luxurious brand new Hyundai Santa Fe (model year 2025). The market list price of the vehicle was around 87,000 dollars.
The purchase was made by trading in his previous used vehicle (a 2020 Hyundai) and a bank transfer to pay the difference. The purchase was managed at Oliva Automotores, the official dealership of the brand in Uruguay.
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The case gained public attention following a journalistic report from a radio program on Radio Carve, which detected serious inconsistencies between the actual market value and what Orsi declared to the Transparency and Public Ethics Board (Jutep).
This represents a significant economic benefit for Orsi, who obtained a privilege that a regular citizen does not have. He took advantage of his position as President of the Republic to secure a discount of nothing less than 25,000 dollars on a high-end car.
Moreover, he concealed such a discount in his sworn declaration to the Jutep.
While the conduct may not be illegal, it is completely contrary to the ethical and moral standards that should govern public office, especially concerning the President of the Republic.
