The World Today
Homicides in 24 hours: map of cases, victims, and lines of investigation
In less than 24 hours, Uruguay has recorded a string of homicides spanning Montevideo, Canelones, and Paysandú. Authorities are investigating each scene while calls for concrete security measures grow.
The succession of events in just a few hours sparked public alarm and an immediate response from the police and the prosecutor's office. News reports and official statements detail several scenes of shootings and arrests in progress.
Homicides in 24 hours: chronology by department
The first wave of crimes occurred in the last 24 hours, between Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon, with incidents reported in Montevideo, Canelones, and Paysandú. The counts vary according to media reports: some reports indicated five homicides, while others raised the figure to six or seven as more findings were confirmed.
Homicides in 24 hours: victims, ages and contexts
In Canelones, the most publicized case was that of a 15-year-old boy found shot behind a bus stop in the El Pinar area, while another 21-year-old youth was seriously injured in a related incident. The Canelones Police Department confirmed it is investigating the incident.
In Paysandú, police reported the shooting of a 42-year-old man, adding to the series of crimes that occurred that morning.
Homicides in 24 hours and police response
In Montevideo, multiple incidents were reported in different neighborhoods: Casabó (an attack on two brothers, leaving one dead and another injured), Buceo (a homicide with multiple shell casings in a public street), and Cerro Norte. Reports indicate that several incidents involved shots fired from motorcycles or moving vehicles.
Neighbors' accounts and initial forensic reports revealed the presence of shell casings at the scene and witnesses described vehicles traveling at high speed. The on-duty Prosecutor's Office is coordinating with the Forensic Police to inspect the scene.
Montevideo — Buceo case and arrests
In Buceo, news sources reported a homicide followed by an operation that ended with arrests; multiple projectiles were found at the scene, reflecting the intensity of the attack. Police conducted searches and are working to identify those involved.
Justice and political reaction
The string of homicides sparked criticism from the opposition and calls for faster security policies . Political voices questioned the government's strategy and demanded concrete measures to reduce armed violence in public spaces.
The Ministry of the Interior reported ongoing procedures and specific operations to arrest those responsible; official sources also reported raids and arrests linked to some cases.
Crime — trends and local context
Although high-profile events are attracting attention, authorities emphasize that each incident is due to specific circumstances: prior conflicts, settling of scores, or episodes linked to drug trafficking, according to sources cited by the press. Initial analyses urge caution until expert conclusions are available.
What's next — research and citizen security
Prosecutors continue with evidentiary measures: camera inspections, testimony collection, and ballistics tests. The judges on duty and the Forensic Police are gathering evidence to clarify motives and arrest the alleged perpetrators. The official recommendation is to await formal reports before interpreting the final figure.
How the neighborhoods experience it — testimonies and social urgency
Interviewed residents report fear and a unanimous call for increased police presence and prevention policies. Community leaders call for local security committees and youth-focused programs to break the chains of violence. Local stakeholders demand responses that combine control, prevention, and social work. (Source: interviews and local coverage).
The final death toll and the judicial classification of each case will depend on the expert reports and prosecutorial actions. This summary compiles the initial reconstruction of the events and will be updated with new official reports.
