Of the total victims, eight were men and one was a teenager, most killed with firearms.

“We are aware that these are very difficult and complex times, when different criminogenic factors converge, causing homicides to increase during Christmas and New Year’s,” commented Interior Minister Carlos Negro.

He said it has been an intense year regarding citizen security, “which has been deteriorating for many years, perhaps decades.”

According to the latest survey by Equipos Consultores, insecurity is growing as the main concern of Uruguayans, with half of the population considering it the country’s biggest problem.

Drugs and drug trafficking are also escalating in public concern and drawing criticism from the political opposition.

The government is preparing a national security plan that concluded an extensive period of consultations with institutions, political forces, social organizations, academia, and international experts.

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