Police unions are sounding the alarm over a surge in attacks on officers, citing recent incidents in Santa Lucía and Villa Española. In Santa Lucía, police were pelted with stones and other objects while trying to impound a motorcycle from a 17-year-old rider. The altercation left several officers with minor injuries. Rudeber Buela, a spokesperson for the National Police Union, said the confrontation began when police attempted to enforce traffic regulations.
Rising Tensions
The incident is the latest in a string of violent encounters between law enforcement and civilians. In Villa Española, a police car came under gunfire. Buela believes these incidents are part of a broader trend of escalating violence against public officials. “It’s not just about civilians clashing with each other, but about people targeting the police for doing their job,” he said.
The union is calling for emergency meetings with top officials, including Canelones Police Chief and Interior Minister Carlos Negro. Buela stressed that the situation has reached a critical point, demanding immediate action to address the country’s growing security concerns. “The urgency has reached a new level,” he emphasized. The union’s demands come as the country grapples with rising tensions between law enforcement and the public.