Shock in Uruguay for the murder of three soldiers at a naval base

05/31/2020 - 14:24

• Clarín.com
• World

Uruguay is not out of the commotion after this Sunday the murder of three marines was reported in a naval base located in Montevideo. These are men between 22 and 31 years old who appeared with gunshots to their heads, sources from the Ministry of National Defense (MDN) reported.

“Our condolences and deep respect to the families of the three murdered homeland servers. We bow to the painful situation but stand firm in the face of criminals and criminals. We are going to fight them, persecute them and they will be judged, ”said President Luis Lacalle Pou, who decreed the national mourning.

According to various local media, the three people, identified as Alex Guillenea, Alan Rodríguez and Juan Escobar , from the departments of Tacuarembó and Rivera, aged 22, 25 and 31 respectively, were found with a shot to the head, two of them in their guard posts and another lying on a mattress.

Luis Lacalle Pou's tweet after the murder of three Marines.

All of them lacked their regulatory weapons , although three bulletproof vests and long weapons were found at the scene. The newspaper El Observador, for its part, published a source from the Ministry of the Interior who assured that "they were executed and brought the three 9mm pistols."

The bodies were found at eight in the morning, inside the box of the post located at the intersection of Cuba Street and José Batlle y Ordóñez Avenue, which guards the Cerro's antenna, by another sailor who had gone to relieve his companions. of the 24-hour guard.

"Terrible news about the assault on the Cerro Naval Base, executing three military members in an alert manner. My solidarity with the family of the troops and all their colleagues in the National Navy. QEPD," the country's vice president, Beatriz , wrote on her Twitter account. Argimon .

The senator of the Open Cabildo party (right), Guido Manini Ríos , expressed his concern on social networks: "In the face of the treacherous murder of three soldiers who were doing their duty, there is only rebellion in the face of so much criminal insanity. That this fact, that He challenges us all, makes us react as a society, and act with the necessary firmness to give security to all Uruguayans. "

Likewise, the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Pablo Mieres, wrote on his Twitter: "Horror !!! Our total solidarity with the families of the murdered sailors and with the National Navy. All our support to the Ministry of the Interior in the frontal fight against crime and organized crime . "

For his part, the deputy of the opposition left-wing coalition, the Broad Front, Gerardo Núñez wrote: "Sad news, they killed 3 Army soldiers at the Cerro naval base. I contacted the Minister of Defense and the Commander, we We made available what is needed. We must investigate thoroughly and see what is behind. The most condolences to their families. "

The National Police is investigating whether the incident is related to an attempted robbery that took place on May 15 . That day, members of the Cerro naval base noticed a boat that was prowling the area in order to steal "junk" ships. That day, a group managed to enter the base, but when they were surprised, the criminals left their boat abandoned on a Cerro beach, and fled.

In addition, the episode occurs three weeks after the attack with a homemade bomb against the Narcotics Brigade , also in Montevideo.

With information from agencies.