Uruguay Reports Slight Rise in Homicides and Firearm Injuries in Q2 2026

Uruguay's Interior Minister, Carlos Negro, announced a slight uptick in homicides and firearm injuries during the second quarter of 2026, a shift from the generally declining crime statistics reported earlier in the year. The minister presented these findings during a press conference following his appearance before the Chamber of Representatives' Security and Coexistence Commission.

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We report the numbers and statistics of criminality in a scheduled, prior, informed manner, and this is done quarterly and semi-annually. So far, we had a closed quarter, which yielded results that were on the decline in practically all crimes.

While the first quarter of 2026 showed a decrease across most crime categories, Negro indicated that the data for the second quarter presents a less favorable picture. He specifically noted a "slight rise" in homicides and firearm-related injuries when compared to the previous year, a development that could impact the overall semester's statistics. However, he emphasized that the broader trend for total crimes continues to be downward.

Minister Negro also addressed recent leadership changes within the National Police and the Republican Guard. He explained that these adjustments are a direct result of the ongoing evaluation and monitoring mandated by the National Public Security Plan, which was presented in March. According to Negro, these evaluations lead to operational and functional adjustments, including personnel changes, to ensure the plan's effectiveness.

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The second quarter of the year, which will form a future semester, does not have data as favorable as the first quarter, which will cause a change, perhaps, in the semester. We can anticipate, as we did in the chamber and as we do now, that in terms of homicides and firearm injuries there will be a slight increase compared to the previous year.

He clarified that while immediate changes in top-tier police leadership are not anticipated, positions subordinate to newly appointed officials will see adjustments. This process, he stated, is necessary as new leaders often seek to assemble teams composed of individuals they trust and believe will contribute effectively to their units. The minister assured that such changes would continue as needed to optimize the performance of security forces.

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Changes will continue to happen because the new leaders who take over in each of the units logically want to form their teams with people they believe should participate in those groups.