In Uruguay, Tabare Vazquez was sworn in on Tuesday becoming the country’s first ever leftist president. Vazquez heads a coalition of socialists, communists, social democrats and ex-guerrilla leaders. Speaking before the country’s Congress, Vazquez said he promised changes and that he will make changes. Vazquez also vowed to help the country’s poor. In one of his first moves he signed a $100 million anti-poverty program. He also restored diplomatic ties to Cuba and vowed to investigate the widespread “disappearances” of political opponents during the country’s military dictatorship between 1973 and 1985. He said “May the horrors of other eras never be repeated.” Vazquez was sworn in surrounded by political allies including Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and Argentine President Nestor Kirchner. Cuban President Fidel Castro announced he could not attend because he was still recovering from a recent injury.