Ojeda turns to Human Rights Institute after no response from Interior Ministry on complaint against police chief

Senator Andrés Ojeda has taken his case to the National Institute of Human Rights and the Ombudsman's Office, frustrated by the Interior Ministry's inaction on a complaint filed months ago against Alfredo Clavijo, the current head of Montevideo's police force.

The institute informed Ojeda on Thursday that his complaint had been registered and would be processed, with updates to be communicated in due course. Ojeda's grievance centers on the security ministry's alleged failure to act on his denunciation. He contends that Clavijo made political statements, an act prohibited by the Constitution and police statutes. The incident in question occurred on April 6, when Clavijo criticized individuals questioning the National Public Security Plan during a radio interview.

Ojeda's formal complaint clarifies that he does not seek for the Human Rights Institute to usurp the Ministry's disciplinary authority or pre-empt the official's functional responsibility. Instead, he asks the institute to consider the Interior Ministry's "material decision" to not initiate, resolve, or explain, for over three months and despite multiple requests, how it handled a serious, documented complaint about the "politico-partisan intervention" of a high-ranking police official.

This decision, Ojeda argues, is not neutral. It effectively protects the accused official, prevents the complainant from receiving an administrative response, and shields the ministry's actions from any oversight. Ojeda had previously emphasized the ministry's lack of response last month, highlighting his ongoing efforts to seek accountability.