Uruguayan police resist night raids

During the upcoming national elections on October 27, a constitutional referendum will be held on night searches, as insecurity is the biggest concern of citizens.

According to a study by consultancy firm Opción, this is why 65 percent of the population supports the idea.

Several presidential candidates have expressed their support, some of whom are proposing to use the armed forces to fight crime.

One of the opponents is the Uruguayan Police Union. They argued that the conditions for night raids are inadequate.

Union representative Ricardo González said guarantees must be given to officers, especially in terms of security, and supported police presence “everywhere”, but described the confrontation with criminal gangs as complex.

“It is simply that the power of crime in the area of ​​armaments, especially that of the drug traffickers who are active, is very great,” said the union representative, stressing that “the position of our union has already been communicated; our union is against this.”

González noted that the police union has not been consulted on the issue, although he said they will invite the presidential candidates to learn more about the position of police officers.

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