Gerardo Sotelo

Sotelo began his journalistic career in 1981, publishing articles in Noticias magazine and later in the weekly publications Opción and Aquí, opposition periodicals during Uruguay’s transition to democracy.^[5] In 1994, he entered television as a co-host of Channel 4's morning program Muy Buenos Días, alongside Ana Nahum.^[6] In 1997, he premiered Caleidoscopio on Channel 10 together with María Inés Obaldía; the show remained on the air for five years.^[7]

In 2019, Sotelo announced his affiliation with the Independent Party and entered political activity.^[8] In the general election held that year, he was the party’s second substitute candidate for the Senate.^[9] In early 2020, he was proposed by the Independent Party as a candidate for Intendant of Montevideo under the Multicolor Coalition; however, he later withdrew his candidacy due to a lack of support from the other coalition parties.^[10] He was later selected as a substitute candidate for Laura Raffo, the coalition’s candidate representing the Independent Party, a role from which he subsequently resigned.^[11]

On 22 April 2020, Sotelo was appointed director of National Television, and three days later director of the National Audiovisual Communication Service.^[12][13] He resigned from both positions in June 2024 in order to participate in the electoral campaign as a candidate for the Chamber of Representatives.^[14] In the general election, he was elected, becoming the only legislator from the Independent Party in the 50th Legislature.^[15]