Buenos Aires Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva criticized the Tormenta Negra police operation during a mass in Villa 31.
On Sunday, García Cuerva led a mass at Parroquia Cristo Obrero in Villa 31 with slum priests and social leaders. He stated that the real black storm in the neighborhoods is drug trafficking, lack of work and state withdrawal.
The City Police operation took place days earlier across 17 settlements with more than 1,500 officers. According to the Ministry of Security, it resulted in 27 arrests, four drug bunkers closed and 25 shops shut down.
Neighbors handed the archbishop a letter reporting harassment. Slum priest Lorenzo de Vedia rejected the operation and called for urban integration instead of stigmatization.
