Córdoba: 600 attacks on police officers in 17 months and an absent municipal administration

In the past 17 months, Córdoba has recorded more than 600 attacks against police officers, police stations, and official vehicles. These attacks range from stone-throwing to arson and armed ambushes. Despite the seriousness of these incidents, the response from the municipal administration has been virtually nonexistent.

The judiciary has acted firmly: there are already 84 people detained and 10 convicted for these attacks. However, the lack of support and protection from the municipality for the security forces is evident. Officers continue to face dangerous situations without the necessary backing from local authorities.

One of the most recent incidents occurred in the Ciudad de Mis Sueños neighborhood, where a mob attacked a police station with stones after a police procedure. In this latest incident, an officer ended up with burns on his hands. This type of violent reaction has become increasingly common, highlighting the lack of control and authority in certain areas of the city.

A high-ranking judicial source stated: “These attacks against police officers, unfortunately, are here to stay. It is very concerning. But the central issue is that the police act and enforce the law without excesses, as is happening. Excesses in the streets are being curbed, fortunately. At the same time, police officers are acting more, and that brings reactions in some neighborhoods. Now, behind this, drugs are clearly present. It is increasingly difficult to find detainees for robberies or crimes who have not used or do not use drugs.”

Crimes committed by minors are on the rise: alarm over weapons, drugs, and violence in Córdoba

In recent weeks, several violent assaults committed by 13, 14, and 15-year-old children have been reported, some armed and acting in groups. The incidents included attacks on app drivers and street robberies, many of them in areas affected by drug trafficking. Authorities confirmed that most of these minors had already gone through state intervention processes such as Senaf.

Although official statistics indicate that crimes committed by minors remain low in proportion to those committed by adults, concern is growing. The presence of children involved in serious and organized incidents is causing unease in the neighborhoods. In official circles, questions such as “What is a 14-year-old doing armed, with friends, Molotov cocktails?” are being heard, reflecting the seriousness of the problem.

Various sources agree that the rise in drug use and the presence of drug gangs explain part of the phenomenon. In vulnerable areas, drugs have become a central factor pushing many young people into crime and intensifying conflicts between armed groups. The combination of lack of state protection, lack of opportunities, and drug trafficking is creating an increasingly complex scenario.

Passerini's inaction in the face of rising violence

Mayor Daniel Passerini has shown a concerning passivity in the face of this wave of violence. Despite repeated attacks on security forces, no effective policies have been implemented to protect those who risk their lives for the community. This lack of action calls into question the municipal administration's commitment to public safety.

Meanwhile, while the police and judiciary do their part, the absence of measures from the municipality weakens efforts to maintain order. The lack of coordination and institutional support allows strikers to act with impunity, undermining the authority of law enforcement.

It is imperative that Passerini's administration assume its responsibility and take concrete steps to support the security forces. The protection of those who protect us can't continue to be ignored by municipal authorities.