Los Olimareños was a Uruguayan canto popular duo formed by Pepe Guerra and Braulio López in 1962. Originating from Treinta y Tres, Uruguay, the group's name pays homage to the Olimar Grande River near their hometown. In the 1960s, Los Olimareños became part of Uruguay's first movement of popular singers, alongside artists like Alfredo Zitarrosa and Daniel Viglietti. They also engaged with the social, cultural, and political movements across Latin America, performing at international events such as the Encounter with the Protest Song in Cuba in 1967. The group's extensive discography includes albums like Los Olimareños (1962), Canciones con Contenido (1967), Todos Detrás de Momo (1971), and Donde Arde el Fuego Nuestro (1978). In 1969, the duo released their acclaimed album Nuestra Razón. The album's title track "Nuestra Razón" would go on to become one of their signature songs. As political unrest grew in Uruguay, their songs began to include criticism of the repressive government. Following the Uruguayan coup d'état in 1973, their music was banned, and they went into exile. During their ten-year exile, they toured extensively, spending considerable time in Mexico and Spain. Los Olimareños returned to Uruguay on May 18, 1984, and performed a historic concert at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, drawing 50,000 people despite heavy rain. They continued to release music until 1990 when they decided to disband and pursue solo careers. Despite making a comeback in 2009 and playing several live concerts throughout the following decade, Los Olimareños' storied career was brought to a halt by Pepe Guerra's death on June 13, 2024.
