This was one of the conclusions of an investigation by the FA parliamentary caucus into the contract, which was subsequently rescinded by the government of President Yamandu Orsi; the government has also filed a legal case regarding the matter.

“We consider former President Luis Lacalle Pou to be the primary political figure responsible for the situation in which the Uruguayan State now finds itself,” stated Senator Nicolas Viera during a press conference alongside other lawmakers and the political force’s president, Fernando Pereira.

According to Viera, this responsibility stems not only from his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces during the process but also from his having “politically backed” the acquisition of the patrol vessels and “the irregular manner in which the process was conducted.”

The senator also pointed to the political responsibility of former Minister Javier Garcia, his successor Armando Castaingdebat, and various political appointees within the Ministry of Defense who participated in the process.

Meanwhile, Deputy Joaquin Garlo maintained that, following a six-month investigation, the party identified a series of “serious irregularities” and events that, in their view, appear criminal in nature and warrant investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office.

The FA also questioned the successive deadline extensions granted to Cardama. Both Garcia and Castaingdebat acknowledged before the commission their political responsibility for decisions made during their respective tenures.

In this regard, Senator Eduardo Brenta defended the government’s decision to rescind the contract, stating that it prevented the payment of over 50 million euros that were still outstanding—despite objections raised by the opposition Republican Coalition.

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