A recent surge in gang-related violence in Rosario, Argentina, has left residents shaken and living in fear. The killings, orchestrated by drug kingpins from inside a federal prison, have resulted in the deaths of innocent people like 25-year-old gas station employee Bruno Bussanich. Authorities have described the violence as an unprecedented rampage, with four fatal shootings occurring in almost as many days. The situation has prompted President Javier Milei to take action, promising to prosecute gang members as terrorists and allow the army to enter crime-ridden streets for the first time since the end of Argentina’s military dictatorship in 1983.
Milei’s law-and-order message has empowered the governor of Santa Fe province, which includes Rosario, to crack down on incarcerated criminal gangs that are believed to have orchestrated 80% of the shootings in the city last year. Police have conducted prison raids, seized smuggled cellphones, and restricted visits in an effort to combat the violence. Despite Milei’s support in Rosario, some residents worry that the government’s aggressive approach may put them in harm’s way. The escalation of violence began following the release of photos showing Argentine prisoners packed together on the floor, reminiscent of anti-gang crackdowns in other countries.
In Rosario, drug traffickers have established a stronghold in impoverished neighborhoods, recruiting vulnerable young men into their criminal enterprises. The city’s homicide numbers are five times the national average, making it a hotspot for gang-related violence. Gang leaders imprisoned in Argentina have been found passing instructions on how to target random civilians to hitmen outside through family visits and video calls. The recent wave of violence has led to fear among residents, with many afraid to leave their homes. The situation has prompted the deployment of hundreds of federal agents to Rosario to address the crisis.
The ongoing violence in Rosario has deeply affected the community, with schools closing, businesses suffering, and residents arming themselves for self-defense. The police presence in the city has increased, with officers patrolling neighborhoods and setting up checkpoints to maintain order. Experts remain skeptical that a tough-on-crime approach will effectively curb the influence of drug traffickers in Argentina, highlighting the need to address corruption within law enforcement and the prison system. Despite the government’s efforts, residents like Geronima Benitez, who lost her son to gang violence, continue to live in fear, describing the situation as a growing cancer that affects both those inside and outside of prison. Pope Francis has offered prayers for the people of Rosario as they grapple with the ongoing violence.
