Overview
- Regional coverage this week resurfaced a list that includes Uruguay alongside Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Brunei, Tajikistan and Somalia.
- Uruguay is the only country in Latin America, and the only Western nation cited, to have removed Christmas from its official calendar.
- The 1919 reforms replaced religious observances with secular designations such as Family Day on December 25 and Children's Day on January 6.
- Holy Week is officially labeled Tourism Week in public calendars and state communications.
- Broader secular policies include mandatory civil marriage before any religious ceremony and the removal of crosses from public hospitals and schools, with about 40% of the population identifying as non-believers.