The Buenos Aires Security Minister attempted to justify why the police did not intervene in the serious incidents in Avellaneda, but his statements raised more doubts than certainties
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The violence that erupted at the Libertadores de América between Independiente and Universidad de Chile exposed a concerning failure in the security arrangements. At the center of the controversy was Javier Alonso, Buenos Aires Security Minister, who defended the decision for the police not to intervene at the most critical moment of the confrontation.
Far from taking responsibility, Alonso, in an interview with Argenzuela, stated that the Buenos Aires police did not enter the stadium "to avoid causing further harm," and added that the force "acts by evaluating the rational use of force, which means minimizing harm." However, the facts showed a different reality: for several minutes, the fights unfolded without any police intervention, which allowed the violence to escalate to alarming levels.
The minister even justified not entering the visiting stands by arguing that "it would have been a much greater disaster." The explanation caused outrage in various sectors, since while the police remained on the sidelines, "Independiente's barra destroyed an entire side of the stadium," as the official himself acknowledged.
Según Alonso, con la presencia policial hubiese sido peor
The response from the national government was swift. The National Ministry of Security, led by Patricia Bullrich, denounced that the Buenos Aires police and Aprevide conducted an operation with "serious failures" due to the violent entry of the visiting barra, projectiles thrown from the stands, deficiencies in searches, and the ignored recommendation from Conmebol to install containment nets.
In the face of these accusations, Alonso chose political confrontation over self-criticism. He accused Bullrich of campaigning and stated: "The minister and CANDIDATE is lying." Meanwhile, he tried to shift responsibility away from the province and pointed to CONMEBOL and the club itself: "Security inside the stadium depends solely on the match organizer, in this case Club Independiente and CONMEBOL."
El intento de defensa de Alonso
The minister's strategy was clear: shift the focus to international organizations and private security, without providing clear explanations for the police's passivity at the most delicate moment of the day. This conduct left thousands of fans exposed, including families with children, and today places him at the center of criticism.
Far from closing the controversy, Alonso fueled the fire with statements that showed more improvisation than control. What became evident is that, in a high-risk match with prior warnings, the security operation failed and the Buenos Aires Province Security Minister himself did not know (or did not want) to acknowledge it.
