MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, March 2 (UPI) -- Uruguay's new president, Tabare Vazquez, signed a energy deal with Venezuela Wednesday, just one day after assuming office.
The deal is an exchange of Uruguayan food products for Venezuelan oil. Venezuela is the world's 5th largest oil producer.
Vazquez was sworn into office during a Tuesday ceremony attended by fellow leftist leaders from South America, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Argentine leader Nestor Kirchner and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
The leftist Uruguayan leader, who has promised to "work tirelessly for the Uruguayan people," is expected to emulate the politics and policies of Brazil's Lula, who has maintained a conservative economic policy while trying to improve some social programs and reduce unemployment.
