The Chief Prosecutor, Mónica Ferrero, appeared before Uruguayan parliamentary committees on Wednesday and issued a stern warning about the advance of drug trafficking in the country. In her presentation, Ferrero compared Uruguay's current situation to that of Brazil, where organized crime has infiltrated institutions and caused structural violence.
"We are at a point similar to what Brazil experienced years ago," Ferrero stated, according to parliamentary sources present at the meeting. The prosecutor detailed the increase in drug seizures, the growth of local gangs linked to international cartels, and infiltration at ports and borders. She emphasized that, although Uruguay doesn't yet face the levels of lethality seen in Brazilian cities such as Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, the indicators point to a worrying escalation if urgent action is not taken.
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Legislators from all parties expressed alarm and agreed that Ferrero's words do not constitute an exaggeration, but rather a "serious warning" that must be translated into immediate policies. "This is not alarmism; it is reality. We must strengthen intelligence, justice, and prevention," stated a government deputy.
Meanwhile, the opposition insisted on the need for a comprehensive national plan, criticizing the slowness in passing anti-narcotics laws and the lack of coordination among state agencies.
