National Police Director, Jaime Fernández, presented a detailed report on the violent events that occurred this Wednesday on Balboa Avenue, involving construction workers. As a result of the disturbances, nearly 500 people were arrested and will be prosecuted through the Accusatory Criminal System. Fernández explained that the situation turned critical in front of the Children's Hospital, where police units attempted to mediate to prevent obstruction of the public road.
However, some protesters resorted to violence, throwing metal objects, screws, blocks, and other dangerous items at law enforcement agents. The operation involved more than 460 units of the National Police, including agents from the National Traffic Directorate and the Institutional Protection Service (SPI). As a result of the attacks, 16 police units were injured, and seven official vehicles suffered significant damage, Fernández detailed.
The police director stressed that the cost of damage to state property, including patrol cars and police equipment, exceeds $267,000. He also condemned the level of violence recorded during the protest and held the involved unions responsible for the demonstration. One of the most serious incidents was the injury of an officer who had to undergo surgery after being struck by a metal rod that pierced his arm.
"It is unacceptable that these acts of violence reach this point. We cannot allow patriotic slogans to be used as a justification to attack the lives of our units," he added. Regarding the detainees, Fernández indicated that they are all in the parking lots of the National Police headquarters, where they are being processed according to the law. "Due process will be guaranteed for each of the detainees, and corresponding claims will be made for the damages caused," concluded the National Police Director.
