Sabina Frederic said “Switzerland is calmer, but more boring”. She even chuckled as she said it. When was that? Right after the murder of 69-year-old Miguel Arias during an assault in Ituzaingó. Tactless, to put it mildly. Just in case, she added: “I am not a Zaffaronista“. The crime rate in Argentina is appalling, and is getting worse and worse all the time. Frederic’s blunt statement (meant as a joke?), sounds offensive, mocking and irresponsible. We’ve all been victims of some sort of crime. There’s not such thing as a “safe” neighborhood. Insecurity is one of our worst concerns, not an issue to take lightly. I bet most of us, vulnerable Argentines, would rather “get bored” in a safer country, than risk our lives daily. I felt she was clearly making fun of us, instead of showing a pinch of sympathy and commitment. Mind you, she’s the Minister of National Security, the person responsible for maintaining national safety through the enforcement of law and order, not a stand-up comedian. She also offended the Swiss people, whose awesome country is everything but boring. What a blunder! Another one …
Irene Bianchi for Buenos Aires Times