Public opinion was shocked by Barbara Prieto’s rape and murder, aged 24, occurred by the time she was on her way to school in the city of Rivera, the perpetrator intercepted her. Thus, the prosecution is currently requesting for him to fulfill a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison.

Prieto’s killing was one of several crimes in the interior and the capital, including the violent death of a citizen who had been stabbed 17 times.

The news of the known red chronicle were supported by polls’ results.

Data from Factum Company confirm that security is reaffirmed as the main concern of citizens, who increasingly associate it with drug trafficking and organized crime.

It is a recurring theme in the lives of Uruguayans and in the speeches of politicians participating in the electoral campaign for the party primaries in June and the national elections in October.

Factum’s update shows that concern for public safety grew during the first part of 2024 from 37% to 53%.

Public safety concern is first on the list since the fourth two-month period of 2023, when it displaced “economic issues.”

The survey was released almost whereas another one was launched by the Cifra Company, according to which 29% of the country’s households were the target of robberies or violent attacks in 2023.

Objective insecurity, measured as the proportion of households that were victims of assaults, shows a steadfast upsurge since the drop observed during the pandemic, Cifra concluded.

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