Luis Antonio Hierro Rivera (born January 23, 1947) is a Uruguayan politician, lawyer, and journalist. A prominent member of the Colorado Party (Partido Colorado), he served as the 13th Vice President of Uruguay from 2000 to 2005, during the presidency of Jorge Batlle Ibáñez.
Early Life and Education Luis Hierro Rivera was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, into a family with deep roots in national politics. He is the son of Luis Hierro Gambardella (1915–1991), a distinguished lawyer, journalist, and politician who held significant positions, including Minister of Education and Culture and President of the Chamber of Deputies. His mother was María del Carmen Rivera. Following in his father's footsteps, Hierro Rivera pursued a legal career, graduating from the University of the Republic. He also engaged in journalism, contributing to various national publications.
Political Career Hierro Rivera began his political career as an active member of the Colorado Party, aligning with the Batllist tradition within the party.
- Deputy: He was first elected as a Deputy to the Chamber of Representatives, serving two non-consecutive terms: from 1985 to 1990, and again from 1995 to 2000.
- Ministerial Roles:
- From 1990 to 1994, he served as Minister of Interior under President Luis Alberto Lacalle Herrera, a period marked by efforts to modernize police forces and address public security concerns.
- In 1994, he briefly held the portfolio of Minister of National Defense.
- Senator: He was elected as a Senator in 1995, serving until 2000, where he contributed to legislative debates and policy-making.
Vice Presidency (2000-2005) In the 1999 general election, Luis Hierro Rivera was chosen as the running mate for the Colorado Party's presidential candidate, Jorge Batlle Ibáñez. The ticket successfully won the election in the second round. Hierro Rivera assumed office as Vice President of Uruguay on March 1, 2000. During his five-year term, he presided over the General Assembly (the bicameral legislature) and the Senate. He also performed constitutional duties, including acting as interim president when President Batlle was abroad. His tenure coincided with a challenging period for Uruguay, including a severe financial crisis in the early 2000s, which required significant economic reforms and international cooperation.
Post-Vice Presidency After concluding his term as Vice President, Hierro Rivera remained an influential figure within the Colorado Party, contributing to political discourse and analysis. He has continued to participate in public life, offering his perspective on national and regional issues, and has been involved in various academic and international forums.