PM Briceño says the latest state of emergency to tackle the scourge of violent crimes was his administration’s final option. He explained that the decision had to be made with careful consideration, given recent court rulings declaring the 2020 state of emergency unconstitutional. But, is the Briceno administration exposing itself to additional liability? We asked him. Here is how the prime minister responded.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“It took us some time, before we declared an SOE. We knew that we have to be very careful and to look at the ruling from the courts to ensure that we do not go against the constitution. So, this time along, Mr. Chebat and the commissioner were very careful and targeted in how they declared this, because it seemed that under the law you just throw a blanket but you have to go to specific areas and make the case. I believe that we made that case and this is why I believe we agreed to declare and SOE. And we are trying our best to keep these people from killing from one another and it is difficult, as much as you try. The police move from a corner, and they come at another corner and make things happen. What is important is that we keep our citizens secure and safe and I believe we are accomplishing that as best as we can.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you agree that it is your last resort, that all other avenues to address this crime situation has been used?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Well, it has to be your last resort. It is not the first thing we do. For some time now we have not declared an SOE. And for us we just want to use it for a short time for things to calm down once we start to implement strategies on how we are going to fight crime on the streets of our communities.”
Reporter
“But do you think the government is opening up for liability considering the previous ruling?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Well, the possibility always exist, but we are trying to be as careful as we can, but at the same time we have to do something. If we do nothing we are criticized, if we do something we are criticized. So it is better we do something we believe is the right thing.”
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
Watch the full newscast here:
