Uruguay police to set up checkpoints targeting football hooligans on buses

Uruguayan police will deploy checkpoints to monitor buses suspected of transporting football hooligans, responding to a series of violent incidents involving fans. The Ministry of the Interior announced the measure after the transport workers' union reported two separate cases of violence aboard buses within a single week.

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From now on, the police will begin to install control checkpoints on the route of buses.

On Sunday, fans of the club Peñarol reportedly used verbal threats and psychological coercion to force a bus driver to alter his usual route, aiming to reach their destination faster. The previous week, approximately 50 fans of the club Cerro allegedly boarded a bus and compelled the driver, at gunpoint, to change course and take them to the Belloni Interchange.

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A permanent working group around transport security will be installed.

These events have drawn political attention. Sebastián Valdomir, a representative from the Frente Amplio party, expressed significant concern over the violence surrounding sporting events, particularly during matches involving Nacional and Peñarol, which often disrupt public transport. He advocated for a specialized police unit to handle security operations during games.

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We need to get closer between transport workers and security.

Senator Javier García, from the National Party, criticized the response, noting the lack of arrests a week after a bus hijacking incident. He stated that impunity persists and questioned the accountability of the police and the Ministry of the Interior. In response, Robert Taroco, Deputy Executive Director of the Police, confirmed the implementation of control checkpoints on bus routes frequented by potential troublemakers. Alfredo Clavijo, Director of Montevideo Police, added that a permanent security working group for transport will be formed, involving the Ministry of the Interior, the AUF (Uruguayan Football Association), and transport unions. This group aims to improve information exchange, which Clavijo admitted had been lacking recently.

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This is the second time in a week, but every time there are games between Nacional and Peñarol, the situation on public transport becomes very complicated for workers and users.