What did the absence of the Amber alert in Uruguay imply in the Soriano case?
The confirmation of the discovery of two minors and the man who had forcibly removed them accelerated the call for the activation of the Amber system, which was approved in Uruguay but has not yet fully implemented. Sources from the Ministry of the Interior explained that the mechanism is in the regulatory stage and that there are prior agreements for mass dissemination, although they have not yet been applied in this emergency.
This incident rekindled the debate about institutional response times and the gaps between the approved law and its practical implementation in border and rural areas.
Amber Implementation: Legal Framework and Platform Agreements
The bill to implement the Amber Alert was approved on September 20, 2024, and provides for the immediate dissemination of information about missing minors, without waiting for 24- or 48-hour deadlines. An agreement was signed last February to coordinate the issuance of alerts through social media and digital platforms, but according to official sources, operational implementation and regulations were still pending.
The system's proponents maintain that cell phone notifications within a wide radius are crucial in a small country, but point out that implementation depends on administrative procedures and technical adjustments.
Child Protection: Why they demanded the alert be activated
The lack of activation in this particular case generated public criticism for the delay in using tools designed to expedite searches. Legislators and child protection specialists said that, in the face of a confirmed abduction, immediate activation of the system could have multiplied the dissemination of key images and data.
The authorities in charge argue that the regulations establish activation criteria and that, sometimes, specific circumstances require prior verification steps; this tension between speed and procedure was exposed in this episode.
Police Search: operation, discovery and inter-institutional coordination
The search combined ground searches, security cameras, citizen input, and the intervention of specialized divers, who found the vehicle and the bodies in the Don Esteban stream. The operation involved regional police personnel, diving teams, and the Army for logistical assistance and on-site forensic examinations.
Authorities reported that the car was pulled from the water and that the judicial investigation will continue to determine the circumstances and responsibilities.
Interinstitutional Coordination: Lessons and Challenges
The case highlighted the need for faster coordination between the police, the prosecutor's office, the Ministry of the Interior, and technological platforms that issue mass alerts. Security specialists argue that, in addition to regulating Amber Alerts, training, drills, and clear protocols are needed to avoid delays when every hour is crucial.
The importance of strengthening protection mechanisms after reports of domestic violence was also highlighted, so that preventive measures can accompany judicial and administrative processes.
