Rising insecurity in Buenos Aires
 

Buenos Aires used to be one of the safest capital cities in South America with Santiago de Chili and Montevideo.

2002 saw a huge rise in criminality but things were settling down with the revival of economic growth. I stayed there for 3 month in 2007 without feeling overly insecure.

The global economic crisis seems to have a direct impact on security here. Unlike other countries, Argentina is facing high inflation (20 to 30 % depending on sources) while wages are adjusted to the Indec official inflation around 10%. This added to rising unemployment for conjunctural reasons leads to despair, anger and violence.

2 of my friends got attacked last week. One right next to the obelisco, by a band of 3 guys. The other one in the subway by 7 guys aged between 40 and 50 while trying to defend a thief victim. An argentine friend got sequestred in his house for one hour in San Martin. Also last, week, a lady got robbed by two guys on a motorcycle one block away from where i m living, in one of the finest areas north of the city with guards in every street.

Add to this a conflict between the government and the City about security funding. The government decided this week to leave 72 monuments and bus stops unguarded till the city of Buenos Aires pays its debt. Police will only intervene AFTER a crime occured. Since Kirchner party lost legislative elections, conflicts between regional and federal powers are developing.

I don t want to instill any paranoid feeling but stress the fact that despite the appearant tranquility, foreigners should keep aware of the situation and take good sense precautions : bring minimal cash, dont move with your credit card, no appearant signs of wealth, use a cheap mobile phone.

Here is a map reporting crimes in the city : Mapa de la Inseguridad

The best way to avoid problems is to anticipate.