Following the partial approval of a bill by the House of Deputies, which aims to establish a new Juvenile Criminal Regime that lowers the age of criminal liability from 16 to 14 years, Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona came forward to support the initiative. He emphasized that the intention behind this legislation goes beyond mere punishment; it aims to effectively address the issue of repeat offenders by implementing a system of guarantees and follow-up. He further articulated that the approach of the new law is to offer a second chance rather than to penalize youth harshly.

Cúneo Libarona elaborated on the necessity of updating a legal framework that has remained unchanged since the military dictatorship, noting that the realities of today's world require a re-examination of youth justice laws. He argued that the existing system has failed, as it often allows young offenders to cycle back into crime—a phenomenon he described as a 'revolving door' in the justice system. By adjusting the age of liability, the minister believes that the legal system can be more effective in rehabilitating young offenders and preventing recidivism.

The discussions surrounding this reform reflect broader societal concerns about juvenile crime and the effectiveness of current laws in managing young offenders. The proposed changes are controversial, with varying opinions on the implications of lowering the age of criminal responsibility. Cúneo Libarona’s adamant defense underlines the government's commitment to reforming youth justice, although it remains to be seen how these changes will impact crime rates among minors and whether the proposed system of support will be sufficiently robust to achieve its goals.