Uruguayan Justice: a Joke

The Cutcsa bus accident on the Pocitos promenade on October 26, 2024, has once again highlighted the deep flaws in the Uruguayan judicial system, revealing what many already suspect: that justice in our country is a joke when it comes to protecting powerful politicians and their allied corporations.

The expertise conducted on the bus driver, which according to experts Gabriel Barreiro and Álvaro Trindade determined that the driver "fell asleep" in the final stretch of the route, directly contradicts the testimonies of the passengers. Matías Muniz, one of those affected, told Telemundo that the driver was "very awake" and that no state of drowsiness was ever perceived. "I noticed he was very alert. When Eloísa stood up, he gestured for her to calm down and told her to stay calm," Muniz noted, directly contradicting the conclusions of the expertise.

This contrast between eyewitness testimonies and the experts' findings reveals a judicial system that seems more interested in fabricating excuses than in seeking the truth. The judge's assertion that the driver was asleep, despite the lack of corroboration from witnesses, suggests a protective bias toward the driver, and by extension, toward the company Cutcsa. Is this perhaps an example of how "friends of power" are protected in Uruguay?

Matías's indignation reflects a widespread sentiment among citizens: "It caused me a bit of indignation, from my perspective I saw something else." This discrepancy not only undermines the credibility of the judicial system but also increases public distrust. Justice should be based on facts and testimonies, not on hypotheses that favor an interested party.

Furthermore, Cutcsa's attitude, which according to Muniz never cared about the well-being of the affected passengers, reflects a lack of corporate and humanitarian responsibility that should be sanctioned by justice, not protected. Matías, who suffered both physically and psychologically from the accident, criticizes the company's lack of empathy, emphasizing that "it's a human issue."

This case is a microcosm of how Uruguayan justice operates in favor of corporations friendly to politicians and to the detriment of victims. The laws and judicial procedures seem designed to maintain the status quo of power and economy, where large companies have more influence than ordinary citizens. When justice is compromised in this way, not only is credibility lost; the very essence of what a fair and equitable legal system should be is lost.

In conclusion, the Cutcsa accident in Pocitos should not only be remembered for the tragedy itself but for the way it has exposed the judicial farce that the justice system in Uruguay has become.