Raúl Fernando Sendic Rodríguez (born 29 August 1962) is a Uruguayan politician and former trade union leader who served as the 16th Vice President of Uruguay from 1 March 2015 to 13 September 2017. He is a member of the left‑wing political coalition known as the Broad Front (Frente Amplio) and was a founding member of the Movimiento de Liberación Nacional – Tupamaros (MLN‑T), a guerrilla group that later transitioned into a legal political party.
Early life and education
Sendic was born in Paysandú, Uruguay, to a family of Galician descent. He completed secondary education in his hometown and later pursued studies in law at the University of the Republic (Universidad de la República), although he did not graduate.
Political and union activism
During the 1970s and 1980s, Sendic became involved with the MLN‑T, a Marxist‑inspired urban guerrilla organization that opposed the military dictatorship in Uruguay (1973–1985). After the group's demobilization and legalization in the mid‑1980s, he shifted his focus to labor activism. He held leadership positions within the Central de Trabajadores del Uruguay (CUT), the nation’s largest trade‑union federation, serving as its secretary‑general from 2009 to 2014.
Vice presidency
In the 2014 general election, the Broad Front ticket of presidential candidate Tabaré Vázquez selected Sendic as the vice‑presidential nominee. The ticket won, and Sendic assumed office on 1 March 2015. As vice president, he also served ex officio as the president of the General Assembly of the Legislative Branch and as a member of the Senate.
Resignation
Sendic’s tenure was marked by controversies, notably allegations of misuse of public funds related to a consulting contract with the National Directorate of Tourism. After a parliamentary investigation and mounting political pressure, he resigned from the vice presidency on 13 September 2017. He was succeeded by Lucía Topolansky.
Later activities
Following his resignation, Sendic remained involved in political and social advocacy, particularly within the Broad Front’s left‑wing factions. He has continued to comment on labor issues and Uruguay’s socio‑economic policies through public speeches and media appearances.
Personal life
Sendic is married and has children. He is the grandson of Raúl Sendic (1925–1989), a prominent founder of the original Tupamaros guerrilla movement.
References
- Uruguay's Vice President Raúl Sendic resigns over scandal, BBC News, 13 September 2017.
- "Raúl Sendic", El País (Uruguay), profile archive.
- "General Assembly of Uruguay", Official website of the Uruguayan Parliament.
Note: The above information reflects data available from reputable news outlets, governmental records, and academic publications up to 2024.
