Argentina 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires. OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Argentina. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Argentina page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private- sector representatives with an OSAC password. Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Argentina at Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions in the country. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. Overall Crime and Safety Situation Crime Threats The U.S. Department of State has assessed Buenos Aires as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Officially reported, nationwide, full-range crime statistics first became available in 2016. The police force faces tremendous challenges after an approximate eight-year lapse in tracking and reporting statistics; the accuracy/integrity of reported statistics is difficult to gauge. Media coverage of individual crimes often creates disproportionate emphasis, and public concerns follow suit. Crimes self-reported to the U.S. Embassy reveal U.S. citizens are most often victims of theft or non-violent robbery, principally in tourist neighborhoods. Street crime in the larger cities (e.g. Buenos Aires, Rosario, Mendoza) is a constant problem for residents and visitors alike. Visitors to popular tourist destinations should be alert to muggers, pickpockets, scam artists, and purse snatchers. Violent armed robberies have also taken place in the northern Buenos Aires suburbs (e.g. Vicente Lopez, Olivos, Martinez, San Isidro) and in the capital city (CABA) neighborhoods (e.g. Palermo, Belgrano San Telmo, Recoleta, La Boca). Tourists who travel to Buenos Aires’ La Boca area should limit their visit to the designated tourist street during daylight hours only. Crime can occur anytime and anywhere. Criminals are often well dressed and hard to spot. Thieves look for expensive-looking jewelry, watches, cell phones, and cameras, and specifically target unattended purses, backpacks, laptops, and luggage, often only needing a few seconds to steal valuables. There are numerous reports of robbery of bags off chairs and from in between feet at cafés and restaurants. Thieves on foot and motorcycles (locally identified as motochorros) regularly nab purses, backpacks, laptops, and luggage, and often target vehicles in stopped traffic for smash and grabs. The percentage of crime in CABA is higher than in the rest of the country. Specifically, CABA has a higher number of robberies, assault incidents, and car thefts. 2018-2019 crime statistics reflect a continued decrease in the overall murder rate for Argentina, and a decrease in the overall number of robberies committed nationally, but a consistent threat of violent crimes in CABA originating from motochorros. Crime statistics from 2018 indicated a marked spike increase in motochorro-based crimes, which Argentina 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report continues to be a problem for visitors to Argentina, as well as for residents. In the second half of 2019, there a series of violent attacks targeted visitors departing from Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) traveling to hotels in downtown Buenos Aires. This type of a violent attack resulted in the shooting death in December of a British tourist in front of his Puerto Madero hotel. The criminals had targeted the man and his family after arriving to EZE from Miami, following them to their five-star hotel. Outside the hotel, a physical encounter ensued after the man and his adult son fought against the initial robbery attempt, resulting in the death of the father and severe wounding of the son. The motochorros got away with luggage containing computers, money, and high-end watches. In recent months, local police have received numerous reports of crimes following this scenario, in which criminals seemingly targeted foreign tourists at EZE, followed them to their hotels, and subsequently robbed them of luxury watches, computers, or foreign currency. Federal and municipal police investigators have made four arrests, but these crimes continue to pose a serious threat to travelers. Another common crime scenario involves spraying an offensive-smelling substance on an individual from a distance. Then, an accomplice posing as a concerned bystander will notify the individual of the substance and, while pretending to help clean the substance off, will try to pickpocket the victim. This common scam has been reported throughout Buenos Aires. While most U.S. crime victims do not receive physical injuries when robbed, criminals are often armed and may use force and physical violence when encountering resistance. There have been violent and even fatal attacks of foreigners carrying valuables. In January 2019, a criminal shot a foreign tourist in the leg when he resisted the theft of his iPhone in the Boca neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Recently in the tourist neighborhood of Recoleta, criminals attacked tourists for their high-end watches and iPhones, resulting in injuries when the victims resisted. The common targets for armed robberies in Argentina are banks, restaurants, and businesses dealing in cash or high-value merchandise. If confronted, do not resist turning over valuables. Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind. Criminals may also target individuals withdrawing cash from ATMs by following customers exiting banks. Use caution entering and exiting financial institutions and when using ATMs. Use ATMs in public places (e.g. hotels, shopping malls, event venues). In an enclosed ATM booth, make sure the door closes securely. Use credit cards only at hotels and major stores/restaurants. Verify that shops and restaurants accept credit cards prior to purchase, as some locations are cash only (especially as economic issues arise). Watch bills and statements for fraudulent charges and have account information available if you need to contact your credit card company to report theft or fraud. Review OSAC’s reports, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud and Taking Credit. The U.S. Embassy receives frequent reports of stolen passports. Lock passports and other valuables in a hotel safe and carry only a photocopy of your passport’s information page for identification purposes. Long-term residents have greater exposure to criminal activity than visitors do. One trend is for criminals to go through local neighborhoods and apartment buildings waiting for food delivery services. A common tactic is attacking victims upon entry/exit of their residence, enabling criminals to force their way Argentina 2020 OSAC Crime & Safety Report inside. Many home invasion gangs seek cash, which Argentines frequently store in their homes. The Regional Security Office (RSO) has also received reports that criminals followed victims to their accommodations, especially from financial institutions. When staying in a hotel or apartment, call the front desk or security office to identify uninvited individuals before giving them access. There have been robberies in isolated areas and occasional burglaries of hotel rooms and rental cars in resort areas, including while stopped temporarily at convenience stations. Highway robbery largely affects commercial vehicles. The robbery of trucks has mainly occurred on the highways of northern Buenos Aires province, outside the city; and on the southern roads of Santa Fe province. Highway robbers are often referred to as piratas del asfalto (asphalt pirates). Review OSAC’s reports, Hotels: The Inns and Outs and Considerations for Hotel Security There have been also been reports of the use of date rape drugs in bars. For more information, please review OSAC’s Report, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad. Cybersecurity Issues The Argentine government is developing its expertise in combatting cybercrime. Few sophisticated schemes have been uncovered. The Ministry of Security has established a National Cybercrime Directorate to coordinate the activities of cybercrime investigators within the four federal police forces; there are increasing reports of ransomware targeting businesses and individuals, along with phishing, sexual extortion, and other cyber-enabled crimes targeting victims in Buenos Aires and across Argentina. Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices, and Satellite Phones: Critical or Contraband? Other Areas of Concern Shantytowns, called villas in Argentine Spanish, exist in Buenos Aires and other major cities, even adjacent to tourist zones; avoid entering these high-crime areas. Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions Traffic accidents are common in Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires, and remain a serious concern. Police statistics continue to show a slight decrease in traffic related deaths from 2018 to 2019. In 2019, independent reporting estimates almost 6,700 traffic-related deaths nationwide. Buenos Aires province continues to have the highest number of traffic-related deaths in the country, with almost 2,200 fatalities in 2019. Pedestrians should be vigilant when crossing streets and look in