The Uruguayan opposition criticizes Tabaré Vázquez's "omission", which forced him to dismiss the minister of defense and the army leadership

The presidential candidate of the National Party of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, declared political responsibility on the omission of a confession of crime made by the former military accused of crimes under the dictatorship José Gavazzo falls on the Uruguayan president, Tabaré Vázquez.

"There is a direct political responsibility of the President of the Republicwho, knowing this failure, names some of the people who signed it, "he told reporters.

He added that Vazquez had signed the appointment of the commander-in-chief of the army, José González, in knowledge of the failure minutes of the Court of Honor of the Army on the confessions of the Gavazzo.

"Political responsibility belongs to the executive. One thing is military responsibility and another thing is the appointment of a commander-in-chief. That of ignorance of the law does not serve as an excuse in this case. Ignorance does not exempt them from any responsibility, "he said.

For his part, the Senator and Leader of the National Alliance, Jorge Larrañaga, said on his Twitter account: "Vázquez approved the decision.
That's why, throughout this dismal process, the main OMISO was Vázquez himself. "

He added: "With human rights, no one can be ignored, any more than subordinates like the minister and the commander, nor President Vázquez."

As, Julio Maria Sanguinetti, two times president and precandidato colorado, said: "The government made a mistake in approving a horrific court decision. It was another mistake to appoint a dubious commander. It's wise to move them all. There was no adequate conduct on an essential issue. "

The Uruguayan prosecutor's office instructed a duty officer to investigate the possible omission of confessions of an offense by a former military accused of crimes under the dictatorship José Gavazzo.

According to a survey of the local newspaper L & # 39; Observer, José Gavazzo admitted having thrown in 1973 the body of Tupamaro Roberto Gomensoro on the Black River to make him disappear and that he lied to justice about it.

Former military officers José Nino Gavazzo, José Ricardo Arab, Jorge Silveira and Gilberto Vázquez have already been convicted of other crimes during the dictatorship.

Generals Claudio Romano, Carlos Sequeira, Alejandro Salaberry and Gustavo Fajardo were also dismissed.