Uruguay in Controversy: Councilor Claims "Residents Can No Longer Tolerate" Cuban Community

In Santa Rosa, a municipality in Canelones, Uruguay, a councilor's comments sparked a significant debate. He claimed that the local residents "can no longer tolerate" the presence of Cuban citizens in the area.

Local officials, speaking to the press, attributed issues such as disruptive noise, improper waste management, and an "excessive growth" of the Cuban community to their presence in this small town, based on neighborhood complaints.

The councilor pointed out that there have been police reports and mentioned that some residents resort to taking sleeping pills due to the loud music. He estimated that the influx of migrants, numbering "around a thousand" in such a "small" city, negatively impacts "everything, including health services."

However, the mayor of Santa Rosa distanced himself from these views and condemned any xenophobic acts. He emphasized that the municipality, department, and country have "open doors" and that there have been no severe issues with the Cuban community in recent years.

As a solution, he proposed establishing a coexistence committee and holding workshops to help adjust cultural practices mutually. He recalled previous meetings with departmental authorities to foster dialogue and prevent interpretations that "could lead down other paths."

The councilor, at the center of the controversy, insisted they are "not against foreigners" but demanded that newcomers "adapt to what Uruguay is." He described persistent behaviors, despite ongoing dialogue, such as disposing of garbage on any day, leaving it on the ground when collection trucks don't arrive, and damaging containers by overloading them with old appliances that the service doesn't collect.

He highlighted specific streets—Carrillo, Bartolomé, and Uruguay—with different collection frequencies and noted that this disorganization results in trash piles and dog infestations tearing through bags. "We are tired," he stressed.

Among the examples given, a Cuban resident was seen dumping his trash onto an existing pile and leaving with an empty cart, and a container was reportedly damaged from being overloaded with stoves and washing machines.

The councilor claimed to have attempted discussions with resident groups to avoid "clashes" but concluded that "they don't understand," reaching a "limit" that necessitates action.

Although he did not specify measures, he reaffirmed his goal for the town to be "a model, clean, and respectful" and his commitment to "working for the people."

The mayor reiterated the importance of not stigmatizing the community, pointing out that Uruguay is a nation of immigrants and that "many of these situations also occur among Uruguayans." He believes the focus should be on collective management with local institutions to address minor issues without discrimination.

His priority, he argued, is to build coexistence, strengthen dialogue channels, and prevent specific complaints from escalating into xenophobic rhetoric.

"We repudiate any act of xenophobia," he stated on behalf of the municipality and the departmental government.

In this scenario, Santa Rosa finds itself between two messages: one from a local authority advocating for restraint and integration policies, and another from a councilor channeling residents' frustrations over noise, waste, and service saturation attributed to increased migrant population.

The municipal administration is betting on workshops and coexistence committees to ease tensions, while part of the neighborhood demands more immediate responses regarding urban cleanliness and noise control. Authorities admit the discussion requires care to avoid discrimination and maintain the city's social cohesion.