Homicide prosecutor Mirta Morales referred to “a very violent shift, extremely violent” on Thursday, in which she handled cases with 12 victims in total, including injuries and deaths.

“We are facing an epidemic of violence that has spread not only to crime, but to every aspect of our lives,” Montevideo Police Chief Pablo Lotito said.

The opposition took advantage of the situation to criticize what it called a “lack of strategy” in public safety.

For his part, Interior Minister Carlos Negro promised a tough line against crime and urged people not to politicize the issue.

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