Uruguay's President Vetoes Abortion Bill

November 15, 2008 6:19 p.m. EST

Miami, FL (AHN) - Uruguay's president vetoed a bill approved by the country's parliament earlier this week to legalize abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

President Tabare Vazquez said helping women with unwanted pregnancies was more important than enabling them to have abortions.

The bill's backers lack the majority to overturn the veto. The bill would have been South America's most liberal abortion law.

Vazquez, a Socialist, said he objects to abortion "philosophically" and "biologically."

Women's rights groups in Uruguay call the move "authoritarian," while religious groups applauded Vazquez.