Bolivian Drug Traffickers' Diaries Reveal Uncontrolled Drug Trade in Rosario, Argentina

The city of Rosario, Argentina, known as the birthplace of soccer star Lionel Messi and revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara, is confronting an unparalleled surge of drug trafficking and gang violence. Journalist Cecilia Di Lodovico reports that warring drug traffickers are now banding together and terrorizing parts of the city that were previously considered safe.

Motorcycle diaries seized from Bolivian drug traffickers reveal an uncontrolled narcotics market in the area. The diaries document the activities of various criminal groups, including the Sinaloa Cartel from Mexico, detailing their involvement in drug trafficking, violence, and the corruption of local authorities. Investigations show that most of the killings in Rosario are orchestrated from inside prisons, where powerful drug lords call the shots.

The homicide rate in Rosario has skyrocketed to 22 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, five times the national average. A recent spate of gang-related killings claimed the lives of four innocent people, including 25-year-old gas station employee Bruno Bussanich, whose murder was orchestrated by drug traffickers from a federal prison. Incarcerated gang leaders have been passing instructions on how to kill random civilians to underage hit men through family visits and video calls.

Why this matters: The uncontrolled drug trade and gang violence in Rosario highlight the urgent need for effective measures to combat organized crime in Argentina. The city's transformation into a hub for drug trafficking and the involvement of powerful drug cartels underscore the far-reaching consequences of the narcotics trade on communities and public safety.

To counter the growing problem, the Argentinian government has taken several measures, including a crackdown on prisons, the deployment of 2,000 federal police officers to Rosario, and the proposal of an 'anti-mafia' bill similar to legislation used in Italy to dismantle organized crime. The new right-wing president, Javier Milei, has promised to prosecute gang members as terrorists and deploy the army to combat the issue, but some residents fear this combative approach may put them in the line of fire.

The recent violence in Rosario has claimed innocent lives, with attackers leaving a note demanding "rights for prisoners in jail" and threatening further violence against civilians. As the city confronts the escalating drug trade and gang violence, authorities face the challenge of restoring safety and security to the streets of Rosario while addressing the root causes of the problem.

Key Takeaways

• Rosario, Argentina faces unprecedented surge in drug trafficking and gang violence.
• Warring drug traffickers, including the Sinaloa Cartel, terrorize parts of the city.
• Homicide rate in Rosario is 5 times the national average, with killings orchestrated from prisons.
• Argentine government responds with crackdowns, police deployments, and anti-mafia legislation.
• Authorities struggle to restore safety and address root causes of the drug trade and gang violence.