VZCZCXYZ0017
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #0067/01 0162039
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 162039Z JAN 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6973
INFO RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 6077
RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 5856
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0074
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 5700
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JAN RIO DE JANEIRO 2104
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 3100

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000067 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR DS/DSS, DS/DSS/IP, DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/OPO, DS/IP/ITA, 
DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/T/ATA, 
POSTS FOR RSO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: ANNUAL OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC) CRIME AND 
SAFETY REPORT 
 
REF: 06 SECSTATE 199547 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PROTECT ACCORDINGLY 
 
¶1.  OSAC CRIME SAFETY REPORT: 
 
¶I. OVERALL CRIME AND SAFETY: 
 
Traffic accidents are still the primary threat to life and limb in 
Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires.  Pedestrians should be 
vigilant when crossing streets and remember to look both directions, 
even if the street is designated one way.  Traffic laws are 
routinely not obeyed and vehicles often travel at excessive speeds. 
Recently published statistics report that over 7500 deaths occurred 
in Argentina in 2006 due to traffic accidents. 
 
Crime is a serious problem in Argentina, but one that can be managed 
with common sense precautions.  Street crime has become common and 
increasingly more violent typically perpetrated with a firearm. 
Statistics from the national Argentine Arms registry and media 
indicate that there are anywhere between 800,000 to 2 million 
unregistered weapons in Argentina. 
 
While criminal activity is a common problem and on the rise, it is 
concentrated in the urban areas, especially Greater Buenos Aires, 
Cordoba, Rosario, and Mendoza.  The wealthier parts of metro Buenos 
Aires experience high rates of property crime, with high-income 
neighborhoods often registering twice as many complaints as some of 
the poorer and supposedly more dangerous parts of town. 
 
In the countryside, there have been a few tourists robbed in 
isolated areas and occasional burglaries of hotel rooms in resort 
areas.  Highway robbery largely affects commercial vehicles and 
hijacking of inter-city buses is uncommon. 
 
Urban crime includes: pick pocketing / purse snatching, scams, 
mugging, express kidnapping, residential burglary, home invasion, 
thefts from vehicles (smash and grab), sexual assaults/rape, car 
theft and carjacking.  Short-term visitors to urban areas are 
subject to all types of street crime, but report few problems with 
public transportation or with four and five star hotels. 
 
Thieves specifically target expensive jewelry and watches, 
especially high value items such as Rolexes. Long-term residents are 
subject to the full range of criminal activity on the street, while 
driving, traveling, and at home. 
 
Express kidnapping (short duration / low ransom) continues along 
with conventional mugging.  Extortion kidnapping for ransom has so 
far only affected well-off Argentines.  The true rate of kidnapping 
is unknown, but considerably lower than in Brazil or Colombia. 
Virtual kidnapping, a telephone scam in which the caller claims to 
have kidnapped someone who is simply not at home, continues to be 
rampant.  Such calls often come from jails and the callers ask for 
prepaid phone cards, which are a form of money inside prisons. 
 
Most criminals are armed and ready to shoot at the first sign of 
resistance.  Policemen are killed in Buenos Aires every week. 
Crimes occur at all hours and armed robberies often take place 
during business hours.  Favorite targets for armed robberies are 
banks and businesses dealing in cash or high-value merchandise. 
Apartment invasions and burglaries are common, and occasionally 
entire buildings are taken hostage.  Criminals often go through 
neighborhoods and apartment buildings ringing doorbells and robbing 
those who open the door. 
 
Argentina is still considered a transit country for drugs, and local 
consumption is increasing.  A media report recently cited the 
growing use of cocaine and other derivatives by middle class youths. 
 
 
II. POLITICAL VIOLENCE: 
 
There are daily demonstrations in Greater Buenos Aires and frequent 
demonstrations in other major cities.  Most protests are related to 
domestic economic and political issues.  U.S. interests are 
occasionally targeted based on current events, such as the war in 
Iraq, economic policy, or policy toward Cuba.  The largest and most 
disruptive protests are usually sponsored by the "piqueteros" (a 
 
collection of groups whose main tactic is to block roads).  In 
Buenos Aires, demonstrations most commonly occur downtown and often 
end up at the Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, Congress, or the monument 
on 9 de Julio.  Protesters generally come from labor unions, 
unemployed/underemployed/landless movements, student groups, and 
communists.  While most protests are peaceful, there are "hooligan" 
elements that periodically show up to fight the police and engage in 
vandalism.  The Police are generally restrained unless attacked by 
hooligans.  In addition to the organized demonstrations, there are 
occasional, spontaneous protests by groups of displaced workers, 
unemployed persons, unpaid pensioners, etc. 
 
Despite the negative perception of various USG policies, Argentines 
are relatively friendly to Americans and visitors are unlikely to 
experience any anti-American sentiment. 
 
In recent years, there have been periodic pipe bomb or incendiary 
attacks.  Typical targets have been bank branches, municipal or 
public utility offices, McDonald's restaurants, and Blockbuster 
Video stores.  These incidents usually occur in the middle of the 
night and appear intended to cause only property damage.  A string 
of such attacks occurred shortly before the November 2005 Summit of 
the Americas to protest the visit of President Bush. 
 
There is no known operational terrorist activity in Argentina, but 
the recently issued Argentine arrest warrants implicating Hezbollah 
and former Iranian leaders in the 1994 AMIA bombing continue to 
generate considerable interest.  The tri-border area with Paraguay 
and Brazil also remains an area of concern, with known criminal 
activity consisting of contraband smuggling, suspected terrorism 
fund raising, and money laundering. 
 
III. POST-SPECIFIC CONCERNS: 
 
Argentina experiences occasional flooding along the coast, including 
parts of Buenos Aires, and in low-lying parts of the interior, such 
as Santa Fe Province.  Western/northwestern provinces, such as 
Mendoza, Salta, Jujuy, and Tucuman suffer from periodic 
earthquakes. 
 
Road conditions are good, but traffic is fast throughout the country 
and heavy in the big cities.  Drivers are very aggressive and 
oblivious to lane designations and other traffic laws. The accident 
rate involving pedestrians is very high. 
 
IV. POLICE RESPONSE: 
 
Expatriates can generally expect better response and less harassment 
than in many other Latin American countries.  Individuals detained 
by the police should ask to contact their Embassy or consulate.  In 
Buenos Aires, the tourist Police assists many tourists with language 
services to file police reports. 
 
Checkpoints are common, especially around Buenos Aires, and drivers 
must have all documentation, including passport or Argentine ID 
card, driving license, vehicle registration and proof of third-party 
liability insurance.  If a police officer asks for a bribe, 
immediately report this occurrence to the Embassy. 
 
POLICE EMERGENCY NUMBERS: 
 
CAPITAL FEDERAL POLICE:  9-1-1 or 4383-1111 through 1119 
 
Prefectura (Coast Guard): 4318-7558 o 4318-7400 int. 2011 Av Macacha 
Guemes 150 
 
Tourist Police: 4346-5748 Corrientes 436, Capital 
turista@policiafederal.gov.ar 
 
Fire:  100 or 4951-2222, 4381-2222, 4383-2222 
 
BUENOS AIRES PROVINCIAL POLICE (suburbs): 9-1-1 
 
¶V. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: 
CAPITAL FEDERAL (City of Buenos Aires): 
 
SAME: 107 or 4923-1051/9 
(Municipal Emergency Medical Service) 
 
 
HOSPITAL   ADDRESS   PHONE 
Hospital Fernandez  Cervino 3356        4808-2600 
Hospital Aleman     Pueyrredon 1640     4821-1700 
Sanatorio Trinidad  Cervino 4720        4127-5555 
 
BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE (suburbs): 
 
HOSPITAL   ADDRESS    PHONE 
San Isidro   JJ Diaz 818, San Isidro  4512-         3700 
San Lucas    Belgrano 369, San Isidro 4732-         8888 
Sanatorio Trinidad  Fleming 590, San Isidro  4793-         6766 
VI. SECURITY TIPS: 
 
CARRY CASH: 100-200 US$ or 300-400 pesos.  Criminals in Argentina 
frequently resort to violence if they perceive a victim is being 
uncooperative or if the target does not have anything worth 
stealing. The people most likely to be attacked or beaten are those 
without any money.  If confronted, offer no resistance and 
immediately hand over everything demanded. 
 
DO NOT WEAR ROLEXES, or other flashy or expensive jewelry that draws 
attention. Women should safeguard their purses while walking and 
when eating in restaurants or cafes. 
 
Criminals are often well dressed and crime can occur anytime during 
the day at any location. Use common sense and remain vigilant. 
Travel in groups when possible. Always stay in the well lit, 
populated areas and avoid parks after dark. 
 
Be alert to pick pocketing in tourist and shopping areas. Do not 
flash large amounts of cash, or carry expensive looking bags, 
briefcases, or laptop cases in public. 
 
Do not carry all of your important documents in your wallet or 
purse.  Carry a photocopy of your passport. 
 
Use ATM machines located in public places like the hotel, shopping 
mall, or event venue.  If the booth has a door, make sure it closes 
behind you. 
 
If you are in a restaurant or other business that gets robbed, 
follow the instructions of the robbers and hand over valuables on 
demand. 
 
MUSTARD ON THE BACK SCAM: Unknown to you, a liquid is squirted on 
your back.  After a few steps, someone, often a middle-aged woman, 
will inform you that you have something on your back and offer to 
help clean it off.  Meanwhile, she or an accomplice picks your 
pockets.  This scam is common in tourist areas such as San Telmo, La 
Boca, 9 de Julio, Recoleta, and Florida Street.  Fortunately, this 
is one of the least confrontational crimes, just say "NO" and walk 
away. 
 
Pay with exact change as much as possible.  If you pay for a small 
item with a large bill, you risk being shortchanged or getting 
counterfeit in change.  Only take pesos as change. 
 
Use credit cards only at the hotel and major stores and restaurants. 
 Watch your bills carefully for fraudulent charges. 
 
TRANSPORTATION 
 
Remises (hired car and driver) are the best public transportation. 
They charge by the kilometer and are reasonably priced.  Hotels, 
many restaurants, and shopping centers can call one from an 
established service. 
 
Radio taxis are the next best choice.  Taxis are black and yellow in 
the Capital, and white with blue lettering in the Province. 
 
Avoid black and yellow taxis with the word MANDATARIA on the door. 
These taxis are rented on a daily or hourly basis and are often 
involved in criminal acts. 
 
Do not take rides offered by people on the street or outside an 
airport. 
 
The following is in order of preference is recommended:  a) Call for 
 
a remise or taxi, b) take one from an established stand, c) hail one 
on the street (but not in front of a bank). 
 
USE the seatbelts, lock the doors, and keep windows up. Do not place 
your purse or other valuables on the seats in plain view from the 
outside or unattended. 
 
Subways, buses, and trains are safe but watch out for pickpockets 
and be ready for work stoppages. 
 
Watch your bags at airports, bus, and ship terminals. 
 
DEMONSTRATIONS 
 
Demonstrations are a frequent occurrence in Buenos Aires and other 
large cities and towns. 
 
In Buenos Aires, demonstrations often occur in the downtown plazas, 
and near commercial and government buildings.  Roadblocks (pickets) 
on major roads leading into the larger cities are also common. 
 
Protests range in size from dozens to thousands of participants. 
 
Most protests are peaceful, but may be loud due to sound systems, 
drums, and fireworks.  The burning of effigies and flags is 
routine. 
 
There are hooligan groups that will sometimes infiltrate protests in 
order to fight the police and engage in vandalism. 
 
At soccer games, sit in the expensive seats and do not wear the 
colors of, or cheer for, the visiting team. 
 
VII: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: 
 
Buenos Aires OSAC formally meets every quarter.  The Washington, DC 
based OSAC Regional Coordinator for WHA or the Regional Security 
Office at American Embassy Buenos Aires can provide more 
information. 
 
AMERICAN EMBASSY: (54)(11) 5777-4533 
Regional Security Office   5777-4298 
Marine Post 1 (24 hrs)     5777-4873