Uruguay Interior Undersecretary Apologizes for Remarks on Police Suicides and Institutional Violence

Uruguay's Undersecretary of the Interior, Gabriela Valverde, has issued an apology for her recent statements that linked the slogan "orden de no aflojar" (order not to give up), used during the tenure of former Interior Minister Jorge Larrañaga, to police suicides and institutional violence. Valverde clarified that her intention was not to assign blame to Larrañaga or any other individual.

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I offer my apologies. It was not my objective to hold anyone, any person, responsible for suicides and institutional violence.

Speaking on the program Lado B of TV Ciudad, Valverde stated, "I offer my apologies. It was not my objective to hold anyone, any person, responsible for suicides and institutional violence." She explained that her previous remarks did not name a specific person but aimed to discuss the potential repercussions of certain expressions on those who receive them. "There are everyday phrases that resonate, and one doesn't know how people process them," she added.

Valverde acknowledged that her comments may have caused distress to Jorge Larrañaga's son and leaders of the National Party. "I understand that Jorge Larrañaga's son and leaders of his political party may have felt hurt," she affirmed. She emphasized that she does not seek political confrontation and that her approach is well-known among political figures. "It's not my style; Javier García knows me very well, with whom I've had conversations, as does Andrés Ojeda. I am sure they know it's not my style, it never was and never will be," Valverde asserted.

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There are everyday phrases that resonate, and one doesn't know how people process them.

The Undersecretary further stated that her role within the Ministry of the Interior involves preserving peaceful coexistence. "I am not like that, and I hold a position in a ministry that must preserve peaceful coexistence," she said. Valverde reiterated that her comments were intended to contextualize the social impact of certain phrases, citing examples like "boys don't cry" or "the one who fights you loves you," and even common sports encouragement like "give it your all."

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It's not my style; Javier García knows me very well, with whom I've had conversations, as does Andrés Ojeda. I am sure they know it's not my style, it never was and never will be.

She maintained that her perspective is part of a broader discussion on police working conditions and the need to address violence within the institution. "The Ministry of the Interior and the Police have experienced significant acts of violence that have been reported," Valverde noted, underscoring the importance of focusing on the training and well-being of police officers.

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I am not like that, and I hold a position in a ministry that must preserve peaceful coexistence.