Homicides in Casabó and Canelones trigger police and prosecutors' operations.
The events that occurred this week in various parts of the country, centered in Casabó and Canelones, prompted an immediate response from the National Police and the specialized homicide prosecutor's office.
A series of homicides that occurred between Tuesday and Friday left at least ten victims across the country. The most shocking case occurred in the Casabó neighborhood, where three men were murdered in two separate scenes, just minutes apart.
The first attack occurred at Pasaje Plata and Pasaje La Vía, where a 23-year-old man was shot from a vehicle. Minutes later, at Pasaje Continuación Charcas and Calle 17, two men, ages 49 and 68, were killed using the same modus operandi. One of them was fixing a car when he was shot.
The three injured were taken by a relative to Cerro Hospital , where they were pronounced dead from gunshot wounds to the abdomen and chest. The Republican Guard intervened at the medical center due to the tension generated by the incident.
In addition to the triple homicide, at least seven more cases were reported this week. On Tuesday morning, a 45-year-old man was murdered in the Peñarol neighborhood. His body was found along with five shell casings and a cartridge case.
That same day, in Barra de Valizas (Rocha), another 45-year-old man was found dead under an acacia tree, 100 meters from the police station. He had been stabbed in a nearby business, according to police sources.
In Minas (Lavalleja), a man was shot after riding a motorcycle to search for those responsible for an attack on his home. He was found dead with a .22-caliber pistol and a black helmet near his body. Police arrested two young men for their alleged involvement.
On Thursday, just after midnight, a 37-year-old man was murdered in a home in the La Teja neighborhood. Security cameras recorded several people entering and leaving the house at the time of the crime. Hours later, in Casavalle, neighbors found a body covered with a tarp. The 35-year-old victim had suffered a blow to the head. The attacker surrendered shortly afterward.
On Friday, two more homicides were reported in Canelones, in Tala and Toledo Chico. In Tala, a 43-year-old man who had been arrested for drunk driving was found dead with a chest wound. In Toledo Chico, another man was found with four gunshot wounds and 14 shell casings at the scene.
The Prosecutor's Office is investigating links between homicides in inland neighborhoods.
The cases of Tala, Toledo Chico, Minas, and Rocha are being analyzed to determine whether there is a connection between the homicides or whether they are isolated incidents.
Homicide prosecutor Mirta Morales described the week as "extremely violent." Montevideo Police Chief Pablo Lotito spoke of an "epidemic of violence" affecting various spheres of society.
In Parliament, the National Party is considering summoning Interior Minister Carlos Negro for an explanation. The minister defended his administration and asserted that "almost 90% of recent cases are close to being resolved."
The string of homicides this week not only raises concerns in the judicial system but also impacts residents' perceptions of safety. In neighborhoods like Casabó, Peñarol, La Teja, and Casavalle, fear is growing among those who live with increasingly frequent episodes of violence. "You don't know whether to go out to work or stay locked up," commented one resident during the operation on the Cerro.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior insists that the investigation teams are working swiftly. Minister Carlos Negro stated that "there is significant progress in each of the cases" and that "most are close to being resolved." However, the opposition is calling for greater transparency and concrete results.
In Canelones, the two homicides reported on Friday add to the tension in a week marked by violent incidents across the country. The prosecutor's office is working in parallel with the Forensic Police to determine whether there are links between the cases or if they are isolated incidents.
September closed with worrying figures, and October began with a similar dynamic. In this context, Parliament is considering summoning the minister to explain the increase in homicides and the measures taken. Meanwhile, in the neighborhoods, people continue to wait for concrete answers that will allow them to regain some peace of mind.
