Uruguay economy minister resigns amid airplane scandal - president
Source: Reuters
Uruguay economy minister resigns amid airplane scandal - president
BY FELIPE LLAMBIAS AND MALENA CASTALDI
MONTEVIDEO Sat Dec 21, 2013 12:01pm EST
(Reuters) - Uruguay's economy minister resigned on Saturday in the face of questions over the alleged irregular sale of government-owned airplanes following the closure of the country's flagship carrier, President Jose Mujica said.
Mujica defended the conduct of Fernando Lorenzo, his minister since March 2010, as local television broadcast images of the economist entering a criminal courthouse.
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Lorenzo was widely respected by investors, but faced growing criticism after the government sold seven airplanes that once belonged to Pluna, the airline the state took over and shuttered in the wake of its bankruptcy last year.
The government has yet to receive payment for the planes, which were bought by a Uruguayan businessman who changed his name before making the purchase.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/21/us-uruguay-finmin-resignation-idUSBRE9BK0AW20131221