A new act of violence carried out by a "naranjita" once again exposed the level of lawlessness prevailing in the streets of Córdoba. On Thursday night, a man was arrested after scratching a Toyota Hilux pickup truck on Fernando Fader Avenue at 4200, in Cerro de las Rosas. His violent reaction was yet another example of how this illegal activity is sustained by threats and impunity.
The driver had transferred 3,000 pesos (6.6 pounds) for the supposed "care" of the vehicle, but the aggressor considered the amount insufficient. He demanded more money, and when he was refused, he attacked the pickup truck with absolute arrogance. This type of incident shows that "cuidacoches" act as if they are the true owners of public space, without control or effective sanction.
The police acted quickly, arresting the perpetrator and seizing two reflective vests he used for his activity. The individual was taken to the police station and was placed at the disposal of the justice system. The police action should be commended, because each arrest is a brake on an activity that affects the freedom and safety of citizens.
An illegal practice that degrades public space
This case is not isolated: just one day earlier, three "cuidacoches" had been arrested for assaulting motorists in different parts of the city. In one incident, a "naranjita" demanded 20,000 pesos (44 pounds) in the General Paz neighborhood and, when the driver refused, attacked the vehicle in a rage. In another episode, two men scratched a car door downtown for not receiving the payment they demanded.
These criminals disguised as "informal workers" turn the streets into zones of permanent extortion. Their presence generates fear, especially among those who park in public places and feel compelled to pay to avoid damage. What began as a tolerated practice has now become a network of coercion that the province can no longer ignore.
It is time for provincial and municipal authorities to definitively ban this activity and establish extremely harsh penalties for those who engage in it. An extortionate, violent, and illegal practice that degrades urban order and threatens residents can no longer be normalized. Eradicating "naranjitas" from the streets is not an option: it is a moral and social urgency for the good of all citizens.
