MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – Uruguay has made history by becoming the first country in Latin America to legalize euthanasia through legislation. The Uruguayan Senate passed the bill to decriminalize the practice on October 15 with 20 votes out of 31, cementing the nation’s reputation as the most socially liberal in the region, despite the subcontinent's strong Catholic influence.

The legislation, which had already passed the Lower House in August with an overwhelming majority, is expected to be implemented soon by the government. Although Colombia and Ecuador have decriminalized euthanasia through Supreme Court rulings, Uruguay is the first to establish an explicit legal framework. Vice President Carolina Cosse hailed the passage as a "historic event" that places Uruguay "at the forefront in addressing deeply human and sensitive issues."

The Uruguayan law allows euthanasia—performed by a healthcare professional—for mentally competent patients suffering from an incurable or irreversible illness causing "unbearable suffering," even if their diagnosis is not terminal. Unlike regulations in countries such as the United States, Australia, or New Zealand, Uruguay sets no life expectancy restrictions for the request.

However, the law imposes clear limits: assisted suicide (where the patient self-administers the lethal dose) is not permitted, nor is euthanasia for minors.

This progressive step follows a trajectory of social reforms in Uruguay, which previously legalized abortion (2012), same-sex marriage (2013), and was the first country in the world to regulate the recreational marijuana market (2017). The country is also known for its tradition of secularism, with a state that prohibits the mention of God in oaths of public office and refers to Christmas as "Family Day."

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