Uruguay has gained a landmark victory in the struggle to defend water as a public good and a human right. In 2005 a constitutional reform was enacted via referendum that banned any privatization of water, citing water as a human right and a public natural resource. The popular referendum gave a resounding 'NO' to the privatization of water. As a result the French water corporation is leaving. Now it remains to be seen how the government will ensure this constitutional reform is implemented in government policy. Interfering with the national process, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) questioned the Uruguayan movement in defense of water.

Read more about the water struggles in Uruguay:

• Community Standpipes in Maldonado
• Uruguay bans water privatization
  
• Declaracion de la Comision Nacional - Octobre 2004
  
• Defending Community Standpipes
  
• Suez leaves Uruguay!