Buenos Aires, Mar 8 (EFE) – Argentina’s Security Minister Patricia Bullrich on Friday convened a crisis committee to contain with the support of the Armed Forces the escalation of violence linked to drug trafficking in Rosario, central Argentina, according to official sources.
In less than a week, hitmen in the service of drug gangs murdered two taxi drivers, seriously wounded a bus driver – paralyzing public transportation – shot at a police station, and set fire to a vehicle in response to the “Bukele-style” prison control measures implemented by Santa Fe Governor Maximiliano Pullaro.
“Due to the events of the last few days in the city of Rosario, which have revealed the escalation of violence by narco-terrorist gangs, it is necessary and urgent to redouble the coordinated efforts of the National State and Santa Fe to restore internal security in the province,” reads the text of the ministerial resolution, which EFE obtained.
Since his inauguration as governor on Dec. 10, the Radical Civic Union politician has implemented a security policy of strict control in high-profile prisons, emulating the style of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, which Minister Bullrich has praised on several occasions.
The crisis committee, which will operate from Friday until July 9 – with the option of extension – will be chaired by Bullrich and co-chaired by Pullaro, it will have the participation of all the federal police forces, and the support of the Armed Forces.
“The Minister of Security and the Governor of Santa Fe will request from the Ministry of Defense the support of the Armed Forces in the internal security operations in the city of Rosario,” the document reads.
The government has not yet specified the scope of the military’s security function, but according to what EFE has learned from military sources, it will be informed of such tasks next week. EFE
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