The government is preparing to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 14 years.

In a key week for the plenary, the government of Javier Milei is on track to obtain favorable committee approval to move forward with the reduction of the age of criminal responsibility, a long-delayed and necessary reform to adapt the justice system to current security realities. After a series of meetings postponed due to force majeure —including national holidays and the recent passing of Pope Francis—, the committee plenary will finally meet next Tuesday.

The initiative, driven by the Executive Branch through the Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich and the Minister of Justice Mariano Cúneo Libarona, originally proposed lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 13 years. However, in a show of political maturity and openness to dialogue, La Libertad Avanza agreed with sectors of PRO, UCR, MID, and other dialogue-oriented blocs on a key modification: setting the new threshold at 14 years. This strategic gesture allows for consolidating a legislative majority to advance with the approval.

Currently, there are 14 bills under discussion proposing ranges from 12 to 16 years. The ruling party will seek for its version to obtain the majority approval. Beyond the age threshold, the texts under debate incorporate a range of alternative sanctions to imprisonment —such as warnings, community service, restraining orders, or victim restitution—, showing a comprehensive approach that seeks not only to punish but also to socially reintegrate the young offender.

One of the crucial points to be debated will be the limits on custodial sentences. While the official project sets a cap of 20 years of imprisonment, other texts propose reducing it to 15. Nonetheless, there is cross-party consensus on the prohibition of applying life sentences to minors, ensuring respect for human rights and international child protection standards.

The debate is not without structural challenges. Some legislators from different blocs have expressed their concern regarding the capacity of the juvenile penitentiary system to accommodate a larger number of defendants. Although the Executive project doesn't foresee specific budget allocations for new detention centers at this stage, it is expected that in later stages, infrastructure planning will be articulated in accordance with the new legal framework.