Argentina’s New President Faces Organized Crime Head-on Amidst Economic Crisis
A Challenge Ahead: Argentina’s Deepening Economic Crisis and Organized Crime
As Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei, prepares to take office on December 10, the country is grappling with a deepening economic crisis and entrenched organized crime structures that pose significant challenges to his administration. Milei, an economist and far-right political newcomer, won the presidential election on promises of extreme free-market reforms and tough-on-crime security policies.
The Organized Crime Landscape in Argentina
Argentina’s proximity to major cocaine-producing countries and its extensive international ports make it an attractive transit point for criminal groups involved in smuggling drugs to Europe and Australia. Corruption also plagues Argentina’s efforts to combat organized crime, with public officials at various levels of government willing to take bribes.
- Transnational Drug Trafficking: The Castedo Clan in Salta was able to move 4 tons of cocaine a month from Bolivia to Argentina’s ports thanks to corrupt officials.
- Corruption and Money Laundering: In Corrientes, a marijuana trafficking group relied on the former mayor, top brass in the police, and other public officials to move tons of marijuana from Paraguay.
A Fresh Approach: Focusing on Departure Points
To stem the influx of drugs, authorities may find it more effective to focus on departure points, such as Argentina’s 20 international ports, rather than trying to stop the drugs before they enter the country. “If you lower the probability of moving drugs through [Argentina’s] 20 ports, it will be much harder for traffickers to operate,” said a criminologist.
The Challenges Ahead
Money laundering is also vital to Argentina’s organized crime groups, converting their criminal activities into usable profits. To address these issues, Milei will need to increase Argentina’s anti-money laundering capacity and strengthen its laws on the books to fight financial crimes. However, given his party’s minority status in both houses of legislature, major reforms will be challenging.
The Economic Crisis: A Double Challenge
Argentina’s economic crisis, marked by high inflation and unemployment, has left many citizens struggling to make ends meet. As Milei prepares to take office, he faces significant challenges in addressing organized crime and economic issues simultaneously. His administration’s ability to effectively address these problems will have far-reaching consequences for the country’s future.