Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUENOSAIRES65
2009-01-21 15:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:  

ARGENTINA: ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY

Tags:  ASEC AR CASC 
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VZCZCXYZ0003
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0065/01 0211512
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211512Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2887
INFO RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 7065
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 6946
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JAN MONTEVIDEO 7239
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 1262
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 2477
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 3861
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000065 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/DSS, DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/OPO, DS/DSS/TIA,
DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/T/ATA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AR CASC
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY
COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT

REF: 08 SECSTATE 132056

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY


UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000065

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/DSS, DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/OPO, DS/DSS/TIA,
DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/T/ATA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AR CASC
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA: ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY
COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT

REF: 08 SECSTATE 132056

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY



1. (SBU) Overall Crime and Safety Situation.


A. Crime Threat Levels.

Crime is a serious problem in Argentina, but one that can be
managed with common sense precautions. Street crime has
become common and increasingly more violent, and often is
perpetrated with a firearm or other deadly weapon. It is
estimated that there are 540,000 unregistered weapons in
Argentina (www.clarin.com). The office within the government
of Argentina that regulates firearms, Registro Nacional de
Armas, stated that since the start of their 2007 "Money for
Weapons" program a total of 104,782 weapons have been
effectively seized (desarmevoluntario.gov.ar).

Criminal activity is concentrated in urban areas, especially
Greater Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario, and Mendoza. The
wealthier parts of metro Buenos Aires experience high rates
of property crime, with high-income neighborhoods often
registering twice as many complaints as some of the poorer
parts of town (this may be a result of better or more
frequent reporting by influential citizens living in these
areas).

In the countryside, there have been a few robberies in
isolated areas and occasional burglaries of hotel rooms in
resort areas. For the third consecutive year, Mendoza was
the site of a robbery involving multiple victims. Without
harming the victims, the criminals stole $15,000 Arg pesos,
jewelry, and electronic devices from individuals in a Mendoza
hotel. Highway robbery largely affects commercial vehicles
and hijacking of inter-city buses is uncommon.

A study titled "Mapa da Violencia: Os jovens da America
Latina 2008" (Map of Violence: Young People in Latin America
2008),by the Brazil-based Latin American Technological
Network (RITLA),published in November 2008 by the Brazilian
Federal Government, showed that the level of violence in
Argentina is by no means the worst in Latin America.

Using data from the World Health Organization for 2003 to
2006, the study reports that there were 5.8 murders a year
per 100,000 population in Argentina, slightly higher than the
4.5 per 100,000 in Uruguay and 5.4 in Chile.

Although homicides are down in Argentina, violent street
crime in urban areas is increasing. Statistics are not

available but urban crime includes: pick pocketing/purse
snatching, scams, mugging, express kidnapping, residential
burglary, home invasion, thefts from vehicles (smash and
grab),sexual assaults/rape, car theft and carjacking.
Short-term visitors to urban areas are subject to all types
of street crime, but report few problems with public
transportation or with four-and five-star hotels.

Thieves specifically target expensive jewelry and watches,
especially high-value items such as Rolexes. There have been
several recent reports of stolen U.S. passports from American
tourists visiting Buenos Aires. Some of these were stolen in
a violent manner -- to include at gunpoint. Long-term
residents are subject to the full range of criminal activity
on the street while driving, traveling, and at home.

Crimes involving children are also significant and on the
rise in Argentina. The following statistics are derived from
a study made with judicial sources in Buenos Aires and was
reported by the web news portal Infobae: "Los homicidios
cometidos por menores de 16 anos se cuadriplicaron en un ano"
(Homicides committed by minors under 16 years of age
quadrupled in one year).

- Index of crime committed by children under the age of 16
years old increased almost 80% in 2008.

- Index of homicide committed by children that are between
the ages of 14 and 16 years old increased almost 47% between

January and September 2008.

- Index of theft committed by children between the ages of 14
and 16 years old increased 20%.

- Index of sexual abuses committed by children under the age
of 16 years old increased almost 6%.

- Index of resistance to authority committed by children
under the age of 16 years old increased almost 113%.

- Index of causes related to unlawful imprisonment committed
by children under the age of 16 years old increased almost
77%.

Many criminals are armed and ready to use their weapons at
the first sign of resistance. Crimes occur at all hours and
armed robberies often take place during business hours.
Favorite targets for armed robberies are banks and businesses
dealing in cash or high-value merchandise. Apartment
invasions and burglaries are common, and occasionally entire
buildings are taken hostage. Criminals regularly employ
target-of-opportunity tactics -- that is, they go through
neighborhoods and apartment buildings ringing doorbells and
robbing those who open the door.


B. Road Safety.

Traffic accidents are still the primary threat to life and
limb in Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires. Pedestrians
should be vigilant when crossing streets and remember to look
in both directions, even if the street is designated one way.


Traffic laws are not routinely obeyed and vehicles often
travel at excessive speeds. A recently published report in
www.popularonline.com.ar states that there was a 1.25 percent
increase in the year 2008 relating to traffic deaths
throughout the country -- 8205 people died in vehicle
accidents during the year as opposed to 8104 deaths in 2007.

In the city of Buenos Aires, the number of fatalities
increased by 9.4 percent during 2008 despite government
efforts to strengthen road safety awareness.


2. (SBU) Political Violence.


A. Historical Perspective.

While the Government of Argentina (GOA) or its agents have
not recently committed any politically motivated killings,
there were reports that police were involved in killings
involving unwarranted or excessive force. Authorities
investigated and, in some cases, detained, prosecuted, and
convicted the officers involved.

Despite the negative perception of various USG policies,
Argentines are relatively friendly to Americans, and visitors
are unlikely to experience any anti-American sentiment.


B. Terrorism.

There is no known operational terrorist activity in
Argentina, but international terrorists in 1992 destroyed the
Israeli Embassy, killing 29 persons, and in 1994 destroyed
the AMIA community center, killing 85 persons. Care should
be exercised when traveling in Brazil and Paraguay, near the
Argentine border. Organizations working out of the
Paraguayan side of the frontier are involved in the
trafficking of illicit goods and other illicit contraband,
and some individuals in the area have been designated by the
U.S. Treasury Department for financially supporting terrorist
organizations.


C. Civil Unrest.

There are weekly demonstrations in Greater Buenos Aires and
frequent demonstrations in other major cities. Most protests
are related to domestic economic and political issues
including labor disputes. U.S. interests are occasionally
targeted based on current events, such as the recent

expulsion of the U.S. Ambassador in Bolivia, U.S. military
presence in the region, the Iraq War, or policy toward Cuba.
The largest and most disruptive protests, ranging from dozens
to thousands of participants, are usually sponsored by the
"piqueteros" (a collection of "social activist" groups whose
main tactic is to block roads).

In Buenos Aires, demonstrations most commonly occur downtown
and often end up at the Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, Congress,
or the monument on 9 de Julio. Protesters generally come
from labor unions, unemployed/underemployed/landless
movements, student groups, and the political left. Whil
most protests are peaceful, there are "hooligan" elements
that periodically show up to fight the police and/or engage
in vandalism. Furthermore, the use of sound systems,
fireworks, and musical instruments is a common occurrence as
well as the burning of effigies and flags.

Pipe bombs or incendiary attacks have been occasionally used
during the more violent demonstrations. Targets in recent
years have included U.S. bank branches, municipal or public
utility offices, McDonald's restaurants, and Blockbuster
Video stores. In July 2008 there was a violent clash between
police and Quebracho protestors in downtown Buenos Aires near
several commercial businesses. Protestors threw stones at
police who responded with tear gas and batons. The
altercation escalated when protestors threw Molotov cocktails
at nearby vehicles and buildings.

The police are generally restrained unless directly attacked.
In addition to the organized demonstrations, there are
occasional, spontaneous protests by groups of displaced
workers, unemployed persons, unpaid pensioners, people upset
by electricity cuts, etc.


3. (SBU) Post Specific Concerns.


A. Environmental.

Argentina experiences occasional flooding along the coast,
including parts of Buenos Aires, and in low-lying parts of
the interior, such as Santa Fe Province.
Western/northwestern provinces, such as Mendoza, Salta,
Jujuy, and Tucuman periodically have earthquakes.


B. Industrial and Transportation Accidents.

Road conditions are good, but traffic is fast throughout the
country and heavy in the big cities. Drivers are very
aggressive and oblivious to lane designations and many other
traffic laws. As addressed earlier, the accident rate is
very high.


C. Kidnappings.

Express kidnapping (short duration/low ransom) continues
along with conventional mugging. Extortion kidnapping for
ransom has so far only affected well-off Argentines. The
true rate of kidnapping is unknown, but believed to be
considerably lower than in Brazil or Colombia. Virtual
kidnapping, a telephone scam in which the caller claims to
have kidnapped someone who is simply not at home, continues
to be a regular occurrence. There are many variations of the
virtual kidnapping scam. One such variation, which appears
to be on the rise, is the caller claims that a family member
has been involved in a horrific accident and personal
information is needed for on-scene medical authorities. Once
personal information is divulged, the caller becomes more
aggressive and uses the newly acquired information to extort
valuables. Such calls often come from jails and the callers
ask for prepaid phone cards, which are a form of money inside
prisons.


D. Drugs and Narcoterrorism.

Argentina is considered a major transit country for drugs,
primarily for cocaine going to Europe and marijuana going
from Paraguay to Chile. As a result, consumer quantities of
both these drugs remain in Buenos Aires for local
consumption. Media reports cite the growing use of cocaine
and other derivatives by middle-class youths. A highly

addictive and popular form of cocaine termed "paco" (similar
to crack cocaine) is also sold on the local market mostly to
youthful poorer clientele. Colombian heroin trafficking is
increasing as 5 to 10 kilogram quantities are regularly
smuggled into Argentina from Bolivia in the Northern Border.


4. (U) Police Response.


A. Handling of Police Detention or Harassment Incidents.

Argentine law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, and
the GOA generally observes these prohibitions; however, there
are reports of the police arresting and detaining citizens
arbitrarily on occasion.

Expatriates can generally expect better police response and
less harassment than in many other Latin American
countries. Individuals detained by the police should ask to
contact the Embassy or consulate. In Buenos Aires, the
Tourist Police are very responsive and assist many tourists
with language services to file police reports.

Checkpoints are common, especially around Buenos Aires, and
drivers must have all documentation, including passport or
Argentine identification card, drivers license, vehicle
registration and proof of third-party liability insurance.
If a police officer asks for a bribe, immediately report this
occurrence to the Embassy.


B. Local Police Contact Information.

- For all emergencies (Capital Federal and Buenos Aires
Province): 911

- Argentine Federal Police: 4383-1111/2-9; Av. Morneo 1550,
Capital Federal

- Prefectura (Coast Guard): 4318-7558 or 4318-7400; Av.
Macacha Guemes 150, Capital Federal

- Tourist Police: 4346-5748; Corrientes 436, Capital Federal

- Bomberos (Fire Department): 100 or 4951-2222, 4381-2222,
4383-2222; Av. Moreno 1550, Capital Federal


5. (U) Local Hospital and Clinic Contact Information.


A. Capital Federal (City of Buenos Aires):

- SAME (Municipal Emergency Medical Service): 107 or
4923-1051/9

- Hospital Fernandez: 4808-2600; Cervino 3356, Capital Federal

- Hospital Aleman: 4821-1700; Pueyrredon 1640, Capital Federal

- Sanatorio Trinidad: 4127-5555; Cervino 4720, Capital Federal


B. Buenos Aires Province (San Isidro, suburbs):

- San Isidro: 4512-3700; JJ Diaz 818, San Isidro

- San Lucas: 4732-8888; Belgrano 369, San Isidro

- Sanatorio Trinidad: 4793-6766; Fleming 590, San Isidro


6. (U) Travel Precautions.


A. Theft of Valuables.

- Carry Cash: $100-$200 USD or $300-$400 Arg pesos.
Criminals in Argentina frequently resort to violence if they
perceive a victim is being uncooperative or if the target
does not have anything worth stealing. The people most likely
to be attacked or beaten are those without any money. If
confronted, offer no resistance and immediately hand over
everything demanded.

- Do not wear Rolexes, or other flashy or expensive jewelry
that draws attention. Women should safeguard their purses
while walking and when eating in restaurants or cafes.


- Criminals are often well-dressed and crime can occur
anytime during the day at any location. Use common sense and
remain vigilant. Travel in groups when possible. Always stay
in well lit, populated areas and avoid parks after dark.

- Be alert to pickpocketing in tourist and shopping areas. Do
not flash large amounts of cash, or carry expensive-looking
bags, briefcases, or laptop cases in public.

- Do not carry all of your important documents in your wallet
or purse. Carry a photocopy of your passport.

- Use ATM machines located in public places like the hotel,
shopping mall, or event venue. If the booth has a door, make
sure it closes behind you.

- If you are in a restaurant or other business that gets
robbed, follow the instructions of the robbers and hand over
valuables on demand.

- MUSTARD ON THE BACK SCAM: Unknown to you, a liquid is
squirted on your back. After a few steps, someone, often a
middle-aged woman, will inform you that you have something on
your back and offer to help clean it off. Meanwhile, she or
an accomplice picks your pockets. This scam has been used
regularly in tourist areas such as San Telmo, La Boca, 9 de
Julio, Recoleta, and Florida Street. Fortunately, this is
one of the least confrontational crimes; just say "NO" and
walk away.

- Pay with exact change as much as possible. If you pay for
a small item with a large bill, you risk being shortchanged
or getting counterfeit in change. Only take pesos as change.

- Use credit cards only at the hotel and major stores and
restaurants. Watch your bills carefully for fraudulent
charges.


B. Forms of Transportation.

- Remises (hired car and driver) are the best and safest form
of public transportation. They normally charge by the
kilometer and are reasonably priced. Hotels, many
restaurants, and shopping centers can call one from an
established service.

- Radio taxis are the next best choice. Taxis are black and
yellow in the Capital, and white with blue lettering in the
Provinces.

- Avoid black and yellow taxis with the word "Mandataria" on
the door. These taxis are rented on a daily or hourly basis
and are often involved in criminal acts.

- Do not take rides offered by people on the street or
outside an airport.

- The following is in order of preference is recommended: a)
Call for a remise or taxi, b) take one from an established
stand, c) hail one on the street (but not in front of a bank).

- Use the seatbelts, lock the doors, and keep windows up. Do
not place your purse or other valuables on the seats, in
plain view from the outside or unattended.

- Subways, buses, and trains are safe but watch out for
pickpockets and be ready for work stoppages.

- Watch your bags at airports, bus, and ship terminals.


7. (U) Embassy Contact Information.

Buenos Aires OSAC formally meets every quarter. The
Washington, D.C. based OSAC Regional Coordinator for WHA or
the Regional Security Office at American Embassy Buenos Aires
can provide more information.

- American Embassy: 54-11-5777-4533; Av Colombia 4300,
Capital Federal

- Regional Security Office: 54-11-5777-4298; Av Colombia
4300, Capital Federal

- Marine Post One (24-hours): 54-115777-4873; Av Colombia
4300, Capital Federal


8. (U) The points of contact are RSO Scott Campbell at
54-11-5777-4535 and A/RSO Jesse Thomas at 54-11-5777-4337.
WAYNE