Uruguay Trains Police to Use Armored Vehicles in Montevideo Patrols

Eighteen police officers in Uruguay have started training to operate armored vehicles provided by the National Army for patrols in certain Montevideo neighborhoods. This initiative, launched on Monday, is a joint effort between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defense, which has agreed to loan up to twelve armored "Cóndor" vehicles.

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As they are military-type vehicles designed for military patrol activities, the police must have training courses for their handling and correct driving.

Minister of Interior Carlos Negro attended the training's commencement in Florida department. He explained that specialized courses are necessary for police to properly handle and drive these military-grade vehicles, designed for military patrols. Negro stated the vehicles will be deployed on demand, primarily for patrols and interventions in "more complex territories and zones" within Montevideo.

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They will be available on demand and, in principle, will be used for patrols and interventions in the different territories and more complex zones of the department of Montevideo.

While the specific neighborhoods where the vehicles will be used were not disclosed to maintain operational secrecy, President Yamandú Orsi highlighted the program's goal: to "redouble the fight against organized crime." The measure, initially met with some questioning from the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Juan Castillo, has since been endorsed by the entire cabinet.

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redouble the fight against organized crime