Argentina: A High-Risk Country for Organized Crime

Corruption and Insecurity Plague Argentina

Argentina is considered a high-risk country for organized crime due to widespread corruption and insecurity. The government’s efforts to combat organized crime are hindered by a lack of transparency and trust among citizens.

Corrupt Government and Judiciary

Corruption is a major issue in Argentina, with politicians, judges, and law enforcement officials involved in various forms of corruption. This has led to a lack of trust in the government and judiciary.

• Specialized Organized Crime Unit: The country has a specialized organized crime unit within the judicial system, but it is considered corrupt and inefficient.
• High Rate of Impunity: There is a high rate of impunity, with few crimes being successfully prosecuted each year.

Poor Prison Conditions and Influence of Criminal Groups

Prison conditions in Argentina are poor, and criminal groups exert influence over prison officials. This has led to a lack of safety and security within the prisons.

Police Force: A Mixed Picture

While the police force is generally more trustworthy than the government and judiciary, public trust remains limited due to accusations of officers offering protection to drug traffickers and money launderers.

Anti-Money Laundering Legislation: Ineffective Mechanisms

Argentina has anti-money laundering legislation in place, but its mechanisms for prevention, investigation, and prosecution have been criticized as deficient. The judiciary lacks experience in handling money laundering cases, and a lack of interinstitutional coordination contributes to its ineffectiveness.

Economic Regulatory Environment: Challenges Abound

The country’s economic regulatory environment faces several challenges, including low regulatory quality, long-term stagnation, employment crises, and state collapse. The informal employment rate is substantial, and inflation is extremely high.

Assistance to Trafficking Victims: A Well-Established System

Argentina has a well-established system for providing assistance to trafficking victims, but corruption has hindered anti-trafficking measures in recent years.

Prevention Measures: Effectiveness Doubtful

The government has implemented various strategies to prevent organized crime, human trafficking, and cybercrime, including strengthening border controls and awareness campaigns. However, the effectiveness of these prevention measures raises doubts, and several NGOs are involved in the fight against organized crime in Argentina.

National Media: Operating Freely but with Restrictions

The national media operates relatively freely, but certain outlets critical of authorities have been targeted with defamation suits.

Key Findings

• Corruption is widespread in Argentina, involving politicians, judges, and law enforcement officials.
• The country’s judicial system is considered corrupt and inefficient, with a high rate of impunity.
• Prison conditions are poor, and criminal groups exert influence over prison officials.
• The police force is generally more trustworthy than the government and judiciary but faces accusations of corruption.
• Argentina has anti-money laundering legislation in place but lacks effective mechanisms for prevention, investigation, and prosecution.
• The country’s economic regulatory environment faces several challenges, including low regulatory quality and high inflation.
• Argentina has a well-established system for providing assistance to trafficking victims but faces corruption-related challenges.
• Several NGOs are involved in the fight against organized crime in Argentina.