Gang Violence vs. Civil Liberties: Where’s the Line?

The controversial Thirteenth Amendment has stirred heated debate across the country. Changing the Constitution is no small matter, and government officials, including PM Briceño, insist the process has been thorough. But behind the legal language lies a bigger concern: how far should the state go in cracking down on gang violence? Leaders say they’ll use every lawful tool to keep citizens safe, even as critics warn of government overreach. So where do we draw the line between security and civil liberties, and who decides?

 

Prime Minster John Briceño

“The proposed 13th Constitutional Amendment has also generated vibrant debate in the recent months. Let me underscore what I and colleague Ministers have explained: any change to the Constitution is weighty, not a frivolous exercise. And that’s why the various consultations have been extensive. But I underscore as well that our pledge to employ every lawful strategy and tactic to suppress gang violence will be relentless. So long as innocent, law abiding citizens fear for their safety and the safety of their children, we will not be swayed by naysayers who conjure imaginary victims of state overreach while the real victims of the criminals are overlooked.”