In a curious coincidence, the writers of two of the most popular opinion columns tackle identical themes in today’s papers. Orlando Gil’s “Orlando dice” in Listin Diario and “Que se dice” both refer to the possible alliance between the police and the armed forces in order to combat crime. The “Que se dice” writer says that the idea of “getting tough” on criminals is gathering more and more support, and the writer cites recent comments by Elena Viyella de Paliza, the CONEP leader, and the Minister of the Armed Forces, Admiral Sigfrido Pared Perez to that effect. According to the columnist, the comments by Viyella de Paliza are part of increasing pressure on the government to act, but they won’t go beyond being comments. However, the statements by the Admiral, combined with his revelation about ongoing talks with the commander of the National Police to coordinate the fight against crime, gives hope that is shared by thousands of citizens, that the two forces will join in a strategic alliance that will confront the criminal element.
Orlando Gil says that the apparent solution is more police. He cites Bill Clinton as a leader who reduced the crime rate by adding more police. But, in Orlando Gil’s opinion, there are two different ideas about just how to tackle the criminals. Admiral Pared Perez prefers, according to his statements, a “hard hand”, while Police Chief Santana Paez prefers a more liberal approach to criminals. In fact, Gil says that many police are convinced that their job is impossible and so have given up trying. The well-respected columnist ends his take on the current situation by saying that criminals and violence cannot be treated with velvet gloves, but rather with plans that really stop the violence. The current wave of violence, according to Gil, calls for an emergency situation to be declared, and since emergencies are extraordinary circumstances, one doesn’t go beating around the bush.