Only Cosse defends Óscar Andrade for fraud in Sunca

A few weeks ago, it became known that the Communist Party list 1001 (PCU) used the Sunca Construction Fund to finance its 2024 and 2025 election campaigns.

It was also revealed that the PIT-CNT used construction workers' money intended for housing to finance the campaign for the plebiscite against the social security system, held in October 2024.

The diversion of funds, which belong to the workers, amounted to 1,200,000dollars, according to statements made at a press conference by criminal prosecutor Gilberto Rodríguez.

Among the leaders of Frente Amplio, the silence is deafening, except for the PCU members themselves, such as Juan Castillo, who have supported the illicit act.

The rest of the top leadership of Frente Amplio has remained silent, except for the Vice President of the Republic, Carolina Cosse. 

Cosse's defense

From her personal X (formerly Twitter) account, the Vice President wrote on June 13 in support of Andrade, making a defense of the PCU senator.

Cosse's action was a unique case, since so far no legislator, minister, deputy minister, or President Yamandú Orsi has supported the mega scam. 

The Antel Arena case

The current Vice President of the Republic was directly involved in a massive corruption scandal in the construction of Antel Arena a few years ago. 

The Antel Arena, an indoor stadium in Montevideo, has been the subject of controversy due to the enormous cost overruns in its construction.

Initially, in 2013, it was estimated that the project would cost 40 million dollars, but the final cost was much higher.

After a 2020 audit conducted by Ecovis Uruguay, it was determined that the total construction cost was approximately 118 million dollars, nearly three times the initial budget.

Other estimates, such as that of the Court of Auditors, placed it at 109.7 million dollars, while a report from the Transparency Board indicated a cost of 119.7 million dollars.

The audit indicated that the contracting procedures, such as direct and exceptional purchases, did not contribute to transparency, which caused criticism regarding the lack of public tenders. 

Additionally, extra costs were included for the renovation of an open-air amphitheater, a children's soccer field, a kindergarten, and equipment such as a skate park.

In 2021, the Transparency Board presented a report that was attached to a criminal complaint for very serious irregularities in the construction.

The "compañero prosecutor"

Although in February 2024, prosecutor Alejandro Machado closed the case, considering that there were "irregularities" and "wasteful management of resources," but no crimes. 

This was truly unusual, because the evidence of corruption was overwhelming.

In March 2024, Antel's board requested the reopening of the investigation, which was referred to the Specialized Criminal Prosecutor's Office for Money Laundering Offenses, but it was closed again.

The prosecutor's office, despite having very clear evidence of corruption, decided not to investigate.

The former Minister of Industry and former President of Antel, Carolina Cosse, was questioned about the cost overrun, acknowledging an increase of up to 82 million dollars. 

Million-dollar losses

Between November 2018 and the first half of 2020, Antel Arena caused losses of 3.7 million dollars, according to an audit, due to operating and non-operating expenses, such as maintenance, services, and outstanding debts, including 46.3 million dollars with Banco Santander.

The "compañero prosecutor" saved Cosse personally and politically. Impunity prevailed.

Support for PCU

For the internal elections of June 2024, the Communist Party of Castillo and Andrade nominated Cosse as a presidential pre-candidate. In the end, Orsi won the internal election, and Cosse received only 36% of the votes.

Now, in June 2025, the Vice President of the Republic is not waiting for a judge to rule.

She publicly comes out to defend Andrade and, in some way, to justify the mega scam perpetrated by PCU unionists valued at 1,200,000 dollars.