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Ex-Uruguay President Jorge Batlle dies at 88 from head injury

By Andrew V. Pestano
Former President Jorge Batlle of Uruguay died on Monday after sustaining a head injury earlier in the month during a political event for his Colorado Party. He served as president from 2000 until 2005. Photo courtesy of Presidencia de la República
Former President Jorge Batlle of Uruguay died on Monday after sustaining a head injury earlier in the month during a political event for his Colorado Party. He served as president from 2000 until 2005. Photo courtesy of Presidencia de la República

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Jorge Batlle, the former president of Uruguay, died from a head injury a day before his 89th birthday.

Batlle served as Uruguay's president from 2000 until 2005. He sustained a head injury earlier this month during a political event for his Colorado Party, and never recovered.

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"He died as a result of the serious condition for which he was hospitalized," the Sanatorio Americano hospital said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the effort made by the whole health team was not enough to reverse the clinical picture in which Dr. Batlle entered after the event that occurred days ago."

Uruguay experienced an economic depression during Batlle's term that brought it close to bankruptcy before the United States helped the government secure $1.5 billion in credit.

Batlle ran unsuccessfully for president three times: in 1966, 1971 and 1994. Batlle's father, Luis Batlle, also served as president.

Batlle remained politically active during Uruguay's military rule from 1973 until 1985 and was arrested several times. He was a member of Uruguay's lower house of Congress after the end of military rule.

The Uruguayan government has ordered flags on all public buildings, embassies and military bases worldwide to be placed at half-staff, the presidential press said in a statement.

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