Speaking to a press conference, Monsalve recalled that last year’s holiday season left 25 dead because of traffic accidents, while 31 other people died in violent attacks, 63 percent of them from knife wounds inflicted in fights.

This time the Carabineros, the Investigative Police, the Undersecretariat of Crime Prevention, transport and other agencies will be focusing on certain spots to prevent violence, said the official.

Monsalve recalled that this year’s national holiday will be an extended one, beginning on September 14 and lasting for seven more days.

Ile/abo/ro/car