"A Line Has Been Crossed, We Can No Longer Tolerate This": UCOT Union Protests Outside Centenario Stadium

The union representing bus drivers in Uruguay has escalated its protests, demonstrating outside the Centenario Stadium after a disturbing incident where football fans hijacked a UCOT bus. The union, Ascot-UCOT, met with the Minister of the Interior, Carlos Negro, to discuss the growing security concerns.

Natalia Moreira, secretary of Ascot-UCOT, explained that the union plans to meet with Ignacio Alonso, president of the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF), to seek assistance with public transport security. She emphasized that the issue extends beyond the stadium, as public buses transport fans from various neighborhoods to matches. "We need guarantees that the AUF will commit," Moreira stated, highlighting the need for the AUF to acknowledge its role in ensuring safe transportation.

Moreira described the meeting with the Minister of the Interior as "good" but acknowledged that significant work remains. She stressed the importance of a collaborative effort between the ministry and the AUF to ensure the safety of passengers traveling to sporting events. The union also seeks assurances that transport workers can return home safely after their shifts, free from stress and anxiety.

"A line has been crossed, we can no longer tolerate this," Moreira declared, expressing the union's frustration with the escalating violence and threats. She lamented that despite consistent attempts at dialogue and constructive engagement, the situation has become untenable. The union's stance is that this level of insecurity is no longer acceptable and cannot be normalized.

The incident involved approximately 50 fans of the football club Cerro who commandeered a UCOT bus. The driver, identified as Carlos, recounted the terrifying experience, detailing how the fans threatened him and forced him to drive to Intercambiador Belloni. He reported that the group was escorted by motorcycles and cars, and that some individuals aboard were armed.