MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Left-wing politician Yamandú Orsi is poised to become the next president of Uruguay after his main challenger in the runoff conceded defeat Sunday and even the outgoing leader of the South American country congratulated him.
His victory marks the return of a center-leftist government to Uruguay's presidency after five years of a conservative administration.
Click to Gallery
Alvaro Delgado, presidential candidate for the ruling National Party, concedes defeat in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
Yamandu Orsi, candidate for the Broad Front (Frente Amplio) and running mate Carolina Cosse celebrate after polls closed in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Yamandu Orsi, candidate for the Broad Front (Frente Amplio), addresses supporters after winning the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Supporters of the Frente Amplio (Broad Front) celebrate the victory of candidate Yamandú Orsi in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Yamandu Orsi, candidate for the Broad Front (Frente Amplio), addresses supporters after winning the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Yamandu Orsi, candidate for the Broad Front (Frente Amplio), and running mate Carolina Cosse, left, celebrate their victory in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
But who is Yamandú Orsi?
A teacher of history, folk dancer and former mayor, the 57-year-old politician is considered the political heir of former President José Mujica, who accompanied him in his campaign and praised him as a new leader able to find the right balance between the complex dynamics on the social, political and economic chessboard.
Orsi was born on June 13, 1967, in the rural area of the Canelones department. His father was a vineyard farmer and his mother a seamstress.
He has several similarities with his political godfather, such as the love for the countryside and a quiet lifestyle. Throughout the campaign, he was often photographed drinking mate, walking his dog and wearing casual suits. His administration is to take office next March, and like Mujica, he has said that he will not live in the presidential residence.
While living in the countryside, his sister taught him to read and write. But the young Orsi began to shape his political views and desires in the middle of the dictatorship in Uruguay, which lasted from 1973 to 1983.
After the end of the dictatorship, Orsi joined the Popular Participation Movement led by Mujica, the ex-guerrilla leader who became president in 2010.
Orsi focused his campaign on promoting friendly-environmental policies, promises to support small producers and social inclusion policies.
He has also promised a renewal of the left by favoring dialogue with everyone, and he insisted during the campaign that he’s not planning any dramatic changing in the country of 3.5 million people.
Although he says it’s important to promote social welfare, Orsi has had used a friendly tone toward the market and private sector.
Alvaro Delgado, presidential candidate for the ruling National Party, concedes defeat in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
Yamandu Orsi, candidate for the Broad Front (Frente Amplio) and running mate Carolina Cosse celebrate after polls closed in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Yamandu Orsi, candidate for the Broad Front (Frente Amplio), addresses supporters after winning the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Supporters of the Frente Amplio (Broad Front) celebrate the victory of candidate Yamandú Orsi in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Yamandu Orsi, candidate for the Broad Front (Frente Amplio), addresses supporters after winning the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Yamandu Orsi, candidate for the Broad Front (Frente Amplio), and running mate Carolina Cosse, left, celebrate their victory in the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani police arrested thousands of Imran Khan supporters as the capital remained under lockdown ahead of a rally there to demand the ex-premier’s release from prison, a security officer said Sunday.
Khan has been behind bars for more than a year and has over 150 criminal cases against him. But he remains popular and his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf or PTI, says the cases are politically motivated.
Shahid Nawaz, a security officer in eastern Punjab province, said police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters. They include five parliamentarians.
Pakistan has since Saturday sealed off Islamabad with shipping containers and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with PTI strongholds in Punjab and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
Tit-for-tat teargas shelling between the police and the PTI was reported on the highway bordering Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns.”
The government and Interior Ministry posted the announcement on the social media platform X, which is banned in Pakistan. They did not specify the areas, nor did they say how long the suspension would be in place.
“Internet and mobile services will continue to operate as usual in the rest of the country,” the posts said.
Meanwhile, telecom company Nayatel sent out emails offering customers “a reliable landline service” as a workaround in the areas suffering suspended cellphone service.
Khan's supporters rely heavily on social media to demand his release and use messaging platforms like WhatsApp to share information, including details of events.
PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram said Khan's wife Bushra Bibi was traveling to Islamabad in a convoy led by the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur.
“She cannot leave the party workers on their own,” said Akram.
There was a festive mood in Peshawar, with PTI members dancing, drumming and holding up pictures of Khan as cars set off for Islamabad.
The government is imposing social media platform bans and targeting VPN services, according to internet advocacy group Netblocks. On Sunday, the group said live metrics showed problems with WhatsApp that were affecting media sharing on the app.
The U.S. Embassy issued a security alert for Americans in the capital, encouraging them to avoid large gatherings and warning that even “peaceful gatherings can turn violent.”
Last month, authorities suspended the cellphone service in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to thwart a pro-Khan rally. The shutdown disrupted communications and affected everyday services such as banking, ride-hailing and food delivery.
The latest crackdown comes on the eve of a visit by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said authorities have sealed off Islamabad's Red Zone, which houses key government buildings and is the destination for Khan's supporters.
“Anyone reaching it will be arrested,” Naqvi told a press conference.
He said the security measures were in place to protect residents and property, blaming the PTI for inconveniencing people and businesses.
He added that protesters were planning to take the same route as the Belarusian delegation, but that the government had headed off this scenario.
Naqvi denied cellphone services were suspended and said only mobile data was affected.
Associated Press writers Riaz Khan in Peshawar and Asim Tanveer in Multan contributed to this report.
Travellers walk to cross an area barricaded by authorities ahead of a planned rally by supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, board into vehicles as they starting a rally for Islamabad to demand Khan's release, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, dance before starting a rally for Islamabad to demand Khan's release, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, chant slogans before starting a rally for Islamabad to demand Khan's release, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
Police officers detain a supporter of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which supporters gather for a rally demanding Khan's release, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, chant slogans before starting a rally for Islamabad to demand Khan's release, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
Police officers detain a supporter of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which supporters gather for a rally demanding Khan's release, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
A police officer detains a supporter of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which supporters gather for a rally demanding Khan's release, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Travellers walk to cross an area barricaded by authorities ahead of a planned rally by supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Police officers detain a supporter of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which supporters gather for a rally demanding Khan's release, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
Paramilitary soldiers patrol as they station at a overhead bridge ahead of a planned rally by supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Paramilitary soldiers patrol as they station at a overhead bridge ahead of a planned rally by supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Police officers patrol at a road barricaded with shipping containers ahead of a planned rally by supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Police officers patrol at a road barricaded with shipping containers ahead of a planned rally by supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Paramilitary soldiers stand guard with riot gears at a road barricaded with shipping containers ahead of a planned rally by supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Paramilitary soldiers stand guard with riot gears at a road barricaded with shipping containers ahead of a planned rally by supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Police officers stand guard on an entry point to motorway leading to Islamabad, which has been closed by authorities due to a planned rally by supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, in Lahore, Pakistan, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
