Background and Early Career
Mario Israel Lubetkin Tulbovic was born on December 13, 1959, in Montevideo, Uruguay, to a family of Ukrainian and Lithuanian descent. His early life was marked by the political instability of the region; as a teenager during Uruguay's civic-military dictatorship, he was arrested for political activism before eventually seeking exile in Argentina and then Italy. He began his professional career in journalism in 1979 with the Inter Press Service (IPS), an international news agency where he rose through the ranks to serve as Director-General from 2002 to 2014. During his tenure at IPS, he focused on global development issues and international cooperation, establishing himself as a prominent voice in sustainable development communications.
Academic and International Service
Beyond his work in media, Lubetkin has been a dedicated academic, serving as a professor for the Master's degree in Communication for International Relations at IULM University in Milan, Italy. He also directed seminars on development communication at the Menéndez Pelayo International University in Spain. In 2014, he transitioned to the United Nations, joining the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as the Director of Corporate Communications. His leadership qualities quickly led to senior appointments, including Chief of Cabinet to the Director-General and later, in 2017, Assistant Director-General of the FAO.
Diplomatic Role and Ministry
In August 2022, Lubetkin was appointed the FAO Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, a role he held until his entry into Uruguayan national politics. Following the 2024 elections, he was selected by President-elect Yamandú Orsi to lead the country's foreign policy. On March 1, 2025, Lubetkin assumed office as the Minister of Foreign Relations. His diplomatic agenda has focused on diversifying Uruguay's trade partners—specifically targeting closer ties with India and China—while navigating complex negotiations within the Mercosur bloc and advocating for the conclusion of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.
Key Achievements and Policies
Minister Lubetkin is a recipient of the 'Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana,' awarded by the President of Italy for his contributions to international relations. In his current role, he has emphasized 'economic diplomacy' as a tool for national development, while maintaining Uruguay's historical commitment to multilateralism and UN peacekeeping missions. His policies also prioritize environmental sustainability, integrating climate change goals into trade and foreign investment strategies. Under his leadership, Uruguay has taken a proactive stance in the Group of 77, chairing the organization in 2026 to advocate for the interests of developing nations in the global arena.
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