In 1971, the military was invited to participate in government, Congress was dissolved, and the Tupamaros were effectively wiped out. His government implied a return to democratic traditions and fostered a process of national reconciliation beginning with a widespread political amnesty, but there were no new radical economic policies. In 1990, free-market reformer Luis Alberto Lacalle took office. However, in 1994, considerable opposition to Lacalle's plans for wage restraint, spending cuts and major state sell-offs paved the way for Sanguinetti to once again take control. Culture Uruguay may be a small country but it has impressive artistic and literary traditions.
Football is a national obsession.
Uruguayans who profess a religion are almost exclusively Roman Catholic, but the Church and state are officially separate. Another standard is chivito , a tasty and substantial steak sandwich with all the trimmings. Tea or mate is quaffed in enormous quantities. Events The country's show-stopper is the annual Carnaval , which takes place on the Monday and Tuesday immediately preceding Ash Wednesday. Montevideo's staid reputation takes a battering during this time as a brace of drummers and costumed revelers advance along its streets.