Javier García Duchini

Javier Fernando García Duchini (born 28 November 1963) is a Uruguayan politician of the National Party, currently serving as Senator of the Republic since 2024. He previously served as Minister of National Defense from 2020 to 2024 under Luis Lacalle Pou, and as National Representative on several occasions.

Early life
García was born on 28 November 1963 in the capital city of Montevideo. Through his mother, Margarita Duchini, he is of Italian descent. García is a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of the Republic, receiving his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1991. Thereafter, García began his specialization in pediatrics. García began his political activities within the Movement for the Homeland as an opponent of the military dictatorship.

Political career
In 2004, García accompanied Jorge Larrañaga in the presidential candidacy. Together with Pablo Iturralde, they lead a successful list for Montevideo. In the 2004 Uruguayan general election, García was elected deputy for the National Alliance sector of the National Party.

In the 2005 municipal elections, García was the only candidate of the National Party to the Intendant of Montevideo. In the 2009 primary elections, he again supported the candidacy of Jorge Larrañaga as a candidate for the presidency of the National Party. At the end of December 2012, García announced his separation from the National Alliance sector and aligned himself with future president Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou, who at that time, was a presidential candidate for the 2014 presidential primaries.

In the 2019 general election, García was the second Senator candidate on the Space 40 list, headed by Lacalle Pou. He was elected Senator of the Republic. After Lacalle Pou's election, he was appointed Minister of National Defense, a position he assumed on 1 March 2020.

Controversies
On 18 November 2016, Semanario Brecha indicated that García had failed to clarify on numerous press releases that he did not have the title of pediatrician that was awarded to him. In an interview with that newspaper, Garcia admitted that he did not possess the pediatrician title stating "I do not award myself or let myself be awarded" and denounced what he considered an attack on himself.

Personal life
He is married to Rosana Supparo and together they have three children: Alfonso, Belén, and Delfina.