Sandra Lazo
Uruguayan radio announcer and politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sandra Maria Lazo (born 12 April 1967) is a Uruguayan politician who has served as the country's Minister of Defense since March 2025.
Sandra Lazo | |
|---|---|
| |
| Minister of Defence | |
| Assumed office 1 March 2025 | |
| President | Yamandú Orsi |
| Preceded by | Armando Castaingdebat |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 12, 1967 |
| Party | Broad Front |
Education and early life
Sandra Maria Lazo was born in Montevideo on 12 April 1967.[1][2] She studied at the Ravel conservatory, graduating as a guitar and solfeggio teacher.[2]
Career
Lazo worked as a radio announcer for FM Coronilla in Rocha and FM Oceanica in Punta del Este.[2][3] She is also a tango singer, and performed annually at the "Come Sing to Gardel" contest held in Tacuarembó.[2]
Political career
Lazo joined the Union of Communist Youth before becoming a member of the Movement of Popular Participation in 1989. In 2005, she was appointed Director of Communication for the first Broad Front government in Rocha.[3] She entered Parliament as an alternate for representative Amaury de los Santos in 2010.[3] In 2015, she became an alternate for senator Andrés Berterreche, taking his seat permanently when he was appointed Undersecretary of Defense on 4 April 2019.[3] She served on the committees for Population, Development and Inclusion, Human Rights, Equity and Gender, Defense, and Environment and Departmental and Municipal Affairs.[2]
In the 2019 parliamentary elections, Lazo was elected Senator for the 2020-2025 term.[4] She became known publicly for her strong defense of victims of the civic-military dictatorship which had ruled the country until 1985, actively pushing for prosecution for those responsible.[2] In 2024, she said in parliament, "democracy will be healthier the day all families know where their disappeared detainees are."[2]
Lazo has participated in international studies and delegations since 2012, including contributing to the Colombian peace process between FARC and the government, and engaging with President of Honduras, Xiomara Castro.[5]
In December 2024, President-elect Yamandú Orsi announced Lazo as the future Minister of National Defense. She commenced in the role on 1 March 2025. She is the second woman to hold the role after Azucena Berrutti.[2] Under her leadership, the Armed Forces of Uruguay has around 15,200 personnel in the Army, 4,600 in the Navy, and 2.600 in the Air Force.[2] On her appointment, she said she was "not here to reinvent the wheel" and would seek to strengthen rather than innovate.[5]
Personal life
Lazo is married to Orfilio "Chaco" Cardoso, a racing commentator.[6] She lives in San Miguel in Rocha and identifies as a feminist.[5]