Yamandú Orsi lied to the cops to win votes

In a context of growing discontent among police forces and a wave of criticism for unfulfilled electoral promises, the Republican Guard Union (UNI.POL.GR) has launched a harsh accusation against President Yamandú Orsi and his administration. What was presented as “economic relief” for law enforcement officials is nothing more than a repackaging of existing measures, which actually prolong agents' indebtedness instead of offering real support. This situation highlights the cracks in the management of the Broad Front, which came to power just over a year ago with a speech in support of public safety, but which today faces complaints

for systematic breaches.

The commitment signed in Durazno: a campaign promise

It all began in November 2024, when Yamandú Orsi, then presidential candidate for the Broad Front, met in Durazno with the National Coordinator of Police Unions. At that meeting, Orsi and his team of advisors presented a document containing 11 key measures to strengthen security and support the troops. Among the highlights was a “salary cleaner” loan through Banco República, designed to consolidate police debts, settle them and deduct installments in an orderly manner from their salaries. The commitment also included a salary increase, the creation of a Police Ombudsman's Office and the addition of 2,000 new officers to reinforce the presence

in critical areas.

The document, signed on November 4, 2024, was celebrated by unions as a step forward in protecting the labor rights of police officers. Orsi emphasized in subsequent interviews that these measures were priorities and that they did not represent a “mystery” in their implementation, assuring that existing police schools would be taken advantage of and budgetary resources would be reallocated if necessary. However, more than a year after taking office on March 1, 2025, these promises seem to have been forgotten

.

From “cleaning salaries” to “economic relief”: a change of name without substance

Recently, the Ministry of the Interior, under the direction of Nicolás Negro, announced a new measure dubbed “economic relief”. According to the government, this initiative allows police officers to renew debts in up to 72 installments and refinance in 60, presenting it as an expanded benefit. But for UNI.POL.GR, this is just a disguise for what already existed: before this “novelty”, agents could refinance up to 60 installments, even by appealing for extensions. “This is not economic relief. This is more indebtedness for the police,” the union reported in a

recent publication.

The criticism is strong: instead of offering an extraordinary item, an improvement in wages or a direct benefit in income, the measure stretches debts for more years, compromising salaries in the long term. “You don't play with the dignity of the policeman. You can't sell debt as if it were aid,” said UNI.POL.GR, directly accusing President Orsi, the Ministry of the Interior and the Black Minister of lying. The most alarming thing, according to the union, is that other police unions have come out to celebrate this initiative on their social networks, presenting it as a “great achievement” when in

reality it perpetuates the debt cycle.

This is not the first time that the fulfillment of Orsi's security promises has been questioned. In January 2026, the National Police Union had already described government management as “many promises, few advances”, recalling the commitment signed in 2024 and accusing the Executive of imposing measures to favor “friends”. In addition, the promise to add 2,000 new police officers “the day after” taking office has been another sticking point. Critics such as Senator Andrés Ojeda of the Colorado Party have demanded literality in Orsi's statements, who in November 2024 assured that the measure

was a priority and feasible.

The context of generalized discontent

UNI.POL.GR's complaint is part of a larger picture of dissatisfaction with the Orsi government. In recent months, complaints of non-compliance have proliferated in various areas. Crime, far from decreasing, has shown an increase in homicides, robberies and thefts in the first 11 months of administration,

according to independent reports.

What's next for cops and public safety?

UNI.POL.GR has made its position clear: “Our commitment is to tell the truth, even if it's uncomfortable”. This union, founded in 2023 and part of the Coordinator of Police Unions of Uruguay, positions itself as a dissenting voice against other unions that, according to them, have yielded to the government. The question now is whether this complaint will promote a wider debate about the fulfillment of electoral promises or if it will remain as another chapter in the growing list

of discontent.

From the government, there has been no immediate official response to these accusations. However, sources close to the Ministry of the Interior indicate that adjustments are being worked on, although without specific details. Meanwhile, Uruguayan police continue to expect real relief, not only in their finances, but in real support for their daily work

.

In a country where security was a central axis of the 2024 campaign, non-compliance with commitments such as “cleaning salaries” not only erodes trust in institutions, but also jeopardizes the morals of those who ensure citizen peace. Time will tell if Orsi rectifies course or if these cracks become

insurmountable chasms.