Self-defense brigades in barrios

[NewsWhore]

In the areas around San Jose la Mina, Hato Mayor and Barrio Lindo in Santiago, neighborhood associations are forming self-defense brigades to thwart the rising criminality they perceive as a threat to their barrios. One community leader, Jose Francisco Consuegra, told Listin Diario reporters that "not one day goes by without a report of some robbery committed by thieves in houses, betting parlors or small businesses in these barrios." He dismissed the accusation that the brigades were taking the law into their own hands. Former Santiago Bishop Juan Antonio Flores supported the move. In the headline article in today's Listin Diario, the Bishop said that he would support the self-defense brigades as long as they respect human life. Civic groups like Citizen Participation and FINJUS (Foundation for Institutionalism and Justice) issued statements saying that it is a serious matter when the barrios have to form their own watch groups to protect themselves.

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