Argentina and El Salvador unite in historic pact against crime

In a landmark agreement, Argentina and El Salvador signed a joint statement pledging cooperation in the fight against organized crime. The deal reflects a paradigm shift in their approach to narcoterrorism, setting out eight guiding principles aimed at strengthening state sovereignty and security.

Territorial control and sovereignty

The signing of the “New Doctrine against Organized Crime” between Argentina and El Salvador marks a crucial moment in both countries’ fight against organized crime, narcoterrorism and money laundering. Led by Argentina’s Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, and El Salvador’s Minister of Justice and Security, Gustavo Villatoro, this eight-principle agreement underlines a collective commitment to regain control of national territories and eliminate criminal organizations with unwavering state power to combat.

The agreement comes as part of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s official visit to Argentina, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in tackling the rise of organized crime in Latin America. As Bullrich celebrated on social media, the “historic agreement” represents a “revolutionary” shift in the way both governments will deal with crime, resolutely focusing on victims rather than perpetrators.

One of the core principles set out in the doctrine focuses on the state’s sovereignty over its territory. The statement states that the state must maintain full control over its land and refuse to allow any space to criminal organizations. This emphasis on territorial integrity is seen as a cornerstone of national security. Under the agreement, the state must act decisively to dismantle criminal operations that threaten to undermine its authority and ensure that no part of the country becomes a haven for drug traffickers or organized crime syndicates.

Coordinated action against narcoterrorism

The second key element of the doctrine revolves around coordinated action to combat narcoterrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering. Argentina and El Salvador pledged to share intelligence, exchange information and establish stable financing mechanisms to strengthen security systems in both countries. By creating a framework for joint efforts, both countries aim to disrupt the networks that allow the illicit drug trade and organized crime to flourish.

A crucial aspect of this coordination is the rejection of policies that promote access to illicit drugs, which both governments see as detrimental to their broader anti-crime strategy. They emphasize the state’s obligation to minimize the supply of illicit drugs and argue that any measures that weaken this commitment risk encouraging criminal networks. In addition, the doctrine calls for a robust legal framework that imposes stricter penalties on members of mafia-like organizations and expanded powers for law enforcement to more effectively tackle high-level criminals.

Ministers also stressed the importance of combating money laundering, which is often the financial backbone of organized crime. Through closer cooperation, the two countries plan to conduct parallel investigations into money laundering operations linked to organized crime, to ensure that criminals’ financial networks are dismantled alongside their narcotics. Furthermore, the doctrine advocates the rapid return of assets seized by criminal enterprises to victims, positioning the state as protector of those harmed by narcoterrorism.

Strengthening law enforcement and criminal justice

The agreement recognizes the crucial role of law enforcement in the fight against organized crime and also emphasizes the need to ‘dedignify’ the police force. This principle aims to support and empower police and security personnel to carry out their duties effectively. Argentina and El Salvador reaffirmed their commitment to provide police officers with the necessary resources, training and legal protections to fight crime more effectively.

The doctrine underlines the need for joint strategies and knowledge sharing between the two nations. These strategies include exchange programs for police officers and security experts, facilitating the transfer of best practices and promoting deeper cooperation between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies. This exchange of personnel and expertise is critical to building a more powerful, capable police force that can tackle the changing nature of organized crime.

In addition, the agreement calls for significant reforms to the criminal justice system. These include proposals to amend criminal codes by introducing new legal categories and toughening penalties for repeat offenders and juvenile criminals. The reforms also aim to strengthen the legal framework for self-defense and the functions performed by law enforcement agencies, ensuring that officers are protected while performing their duties. Furthermore, the doctrine calls for reducing the risk of re-traumatizing victims through the legal process, emphasizing the need for laws that prioritize the well-being of those affected by criminal acts.

Redefining the role of prisons and legal reform

Another crucial aspect of the agreement is the overhaul of prison management. The doctrine emphasizes that the state must maintain control over its prison system, especially by ensuring that criminal activity does not continue behind bars. The principle calls for identifying and classifying prisoners based on the level of risk they pose, and for implementing stricter measures for high-risk prisoners.

These reforms include permanent controls within prisons and the elimination of unrestricted communication between prisoners. Unrestricted communication has often allowed criminal leaders to continue orchestrating illegal activities from within the correctional system. By closing these channels, both countries hope to weaken the internal networks that allow criminal organizations to flourish even while their leaders are imprisoned.

Another doctrine focuses on eliminating bureaucratic inefficiencies that obstruct justice and inadvertently support criminal activity. It calls for streamlining legal processes, with particular attention to institutions that have been co-opted to protect narrow, sectarian interests. Ministers stressed the need to harmonize police, legal and criminal procedures across Latin America to enable more coherent and effective regional cooperation in the fight against crime.

Finally, the doctrine addresses the role of international organizations in the global fight against narcoterrorism and organized crime. Argentina and El Salvador call on these agencies to remain impartial and avoid ideological biases that could hamper law enforcement efforts. The ministers criticized international institutions that, in their view, have unintentionally empowered criminal organizations by undermining state efforts to prevent crime. They called for a more balanced approach that supports rather than criticizes state-led crime prevention strategies.

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The “New Doctrine Against Organized Crime” represents a bold step forward for both Argentina and El Salvador in their fight against narcoterrorism and organized crime. The agreement marks a new era in the pursuit of justice and security across Latin America by strengthening state sovereignty, supporting law enforcement and strengthening regional cooperation. Through this shared commitment to combating criminal networks, both countries aim to strengthen their respective justice and security systems, provide a safer environment for their citizens and remain steadfast in the face of organized crime.