Terrorism in Argentina has occurred since at least the 1970s during the Argentinian Dirty War where a number of terror acts occurred, with support of both the democratic government of Isabel Martínez de Perón and the following de facto government of the National Reorganization Process. In the 1990s, two major terrorist attacks occurred in Buenos Aires, which together caused 115 deaths and left at least 555 injured.
Contents
- 1992 Israeli embassy bombing
- 1994 AMIA bombing
- 2011 police station bombing
- 2011 Security Ministry bombing
- 2013 attack
- Terror groups on border
- Responses and counterterrorism efforts
- SIFEM 1996
- Argentinas Anti Terrorism Law 2007
- Anti terror legislation 2011
- References
State sponsored terrorism occurred in the 1970s by radical groups backed by the Argentinian democratic government and, later, by the military government. The government also warned the press to minimise reporting of terrorism.
1992 Israeli embassy bombing
On 17 March 1992, a suicide bombing attack occurred at the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Twenty-nine civilians were killed in the attack and 242 additional civilians were injured.
1994 AMIA bombing
On 18 July 1994, a car bombing took place at the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA; Argentine Israelite Mutual Association) building in Buenos Aires killing 85 people and injuring hundreds.
2011 police station bombing
On November 29, 2011, an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated at the main police station in the Buenos Aires city suburb of Avellaneda. The explosion damaged the building and nearby businesses, but caused no injuries. At the scene, police found pamphlets from an anarchist group calling itself the "Eduardo Maria Vazquez Aguirre Anti-Prison Insurgent Cell." Eduardo Maria Vazquez Aguirre was a Spanish anarchist who reportedly killed the Chief of the Argentine Police in a 1909 bombing. The pamphlet also stated that the bombing was in retaliation for the deaths of six named individuals shot by Buenos Aires police officers.
2011 Security Ministry bombing
On December 21, 2011 an IED detonated within 100 meters from the Security Ministry headquarters in downtown Buenos Aires. The explosion damaged nearby cars and buildings, but caused no injuries. A group calling itself “the Nucleus of Conspirators for the Extension of Chaos” claimed credit for the attack and indicated that it would soon conduct more attacks.
2013 attack
On 19 September 2013, a small improvised explosive device detonated in front of the headquarters of the Mutual Help Association of the Argentine National Gendarmerie. Two gendarmes were lightly wounded. Several groups claimed responsibility.
Terror groups on border
A number of Islamic terror groups are known to operate on the border of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
Responses and counterterrorism efforts
Following the two bombings in Buenos Aires, national, regional, and local institutions responsible for emergency response in Argentina sought to improve their planning and preparedness for terrorism-related events. The Argentinian Government also introduced legislative measures to help deal with the threat of terrorism.
SIFEM (1996)
In 1996, the Argentinian Government enacted legislation, which launched the Sistema Federal de Emergencias (SIFEM) or Federal Emergency System under the direction of the president.
Argentina's Anti-Terrorism Law (2007)
The Argentinian Congress passed Argentina's Anti-Terrorism Law in 2007, focusing on preventing money laundering for financing terror attacks.
Anti-terror legislation (2011)
On the 22 December 2011, the Argentinian Congress approved a package of modifications to existing Argentine law aimed at combating terrorism and financial crime. The changes raised concerns with human rights advocates.