Milei unveils ‘zero tolerance’ Penal Code reform push at prison

President Javier Milei declared Thursday he will take a “zero tolerance” approach to criminal acts as he presented a new penal code reform package that will toughen sentences for those convicted.

“Today we are putting Argentina where it should always have been: a new era of zero tolerance is born,” said Milei.

“Those who commit crimes must face consequences, trials must be swift, and criminals must serve their sentences where they belong: in prison,” declared the La Libertad Avanza leader.

Milei, 54, unveiled his new draft of the Penal Code at a press event at the door of Ezeiza Prison, which he said would be sent to Congress shortly. 

After a poor week of graft allegations, currency turbulence and congressional setbacks, the self-declared “anarcho-capitalist” is seeking to regain the initiative ahead of this month’s crucial midterm elections.

Last month, a brutal triple murder in Buenos Aires Province once again put crime and security back on the agenda. Milei, who was accompanied by National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich at the launch, is hoping his ‘tough-on-crime’ approach may win over voters doubting his reform push.

Also at the launch was national deputy José Luis Espert, who is seeking re-election as the ruling party’s lead candidate in Buenos Aires Province and is at the centre of a media storm over alleged links to a businessman facing drug-trafficking charges in the US courts.

Tougher sentences

Bullrich said Thursday that the new code “increases penalties for all crimes, especially the more serious ones.”

Milei argued that “years of excessive legal leniency have effectively tied the hands of the security forces, judges and prosecutors,” which is why his administration will now push forward “these zero-tolerance reforms against crime.”

He warned Congress – which earlier in the day struck down two of Milei’s presidential vetoes – not to challenge him on the reform.

“If we manage to pass these reforms, those who break the law will face real consequences, and decent Argentinians will live in a safer society. But whether or not this package of reforms is implemented depends directly on the National Congress,” said Milei.

“It depends on whether those sitting in Parliament have the will to side with the victims, not with the criminals,” he said. “There is no middle ground.”

In a speech, Bullrich outlined details of the reform, highlighting “three core components.” 

These include tougher sentencing for homicide and aggravated homicide, changed conditions for those carrying weapons and a sentence of up to three years for those convicted of stealing.

“False accusations – especially in cases involving sexual offences, or those that restrict parental or family contact – will be included in the Penal Code for the first time,” she added.

Sentences for corruption will also be raised, with harsher penalties for public officials.

She also confirmed that sentences for all complex crimes will be increased, including “drug-trafficking, human-trafficking, organised crime, kidnapping for ransom and child pornography.”

Articles on revenge poems, cybercrimes involving artificial intelligence, animal cruelty and pyramid schemes will also be included.

There will be no statue of limitations for the most serious crimes, such as homicide, sexual abuse, trafficking and crimes against humanity.

“Eighty-two percent of crimes will now result in actual prison time,” she claimed.

– TIMES/NA/PERFIL