Resounding success: Argentina records the lowest homicide rate in South America

The Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, presented the data for the first quarter of 2024, which reveal a  historic drop in homicides and other crimes. "We are proud," she said when announcing that the country reached the lowest homicide rate in all of South America.

Accompanied by the Secretary of Security, Alejandra Monteoliva, and the National Director of Criminal Intelligence, Marco Antonio González, Bullrich released this Tuesday the crime statistics corresponding to the first three months of the year. According to the official report, Argentina reached a homicide rate of 3.8 per 100,000 inhabitants, the lowest since records have been kept.

"The drop in homicides in 2024 is the most significant since we have statistics. It's the best in Latin America, the lowest," stated the minister. Bullrich emphasized that the key was not a matter of structures but of political decision: "There was no need for structures; what was needed was the will to go against those who threaten life."

Significant reductions in sensitive crimes

Among the highlights by the Ministry are:

• 9.6% drop in homicides compared to the previous quarter: 507 cases versus 561.
• 14.3% decrease in homicides of women: from 362 in 2023 to 313 in 2024.
• 12.8% decline in sexual crimes.
• 35.9% decrease in human trafficking cases.
• 14% reduction in drug trafficking-related activities.
• 7% drop in smuggling, in all its forms.

Regarding the homicides of women, Bullrich explained that more than half (56%) are linked to partner or family relationships, a fact that reveals the complexity of the phenomenon. "It's really important and historic," she said, highlighting the drop in these crimes.

Meanwhile, the minister questioned the effectiveness of the former Ministry of Women, noting that its budget between 2020 and 2023 amounted to 848 billion pesos, while sexual crimes and crimes against women were increasing. "Without that ministry, but with concrete decision, we achieved a historic drop", she emphasized.

Robberies and digital crimes, the pending challenge

Regarding robberies, the crime remained stable with a slight increase of 0.5%, the official explained. "This is a crime that occurs in all 24 districts. Cell phone theft, digital theft, motorcycle theft. We are going to discuss it with all the police and provincial security ministries", she announced.

To conclude, Bullrich highlighted the coordination with the provinces and the leadership of President Javier Milei in the fight against crime: "Each homicide is a life. The ideal is to have none. But this drop is a pride for this government and for all the joint work."