In recent days, the government of Javier Milei has announced a series of security measures to strengthen control along Argentina’s borders. The initial focus was the establishment of a fence on the border with Bolivia, but in a new statement, the Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, revealed that the government would expand these efforts, extending the increased surveillance and security to the Argentina-Brazil border, as well as other critical regions. These measures are part of a broader strategy aimed not only at combating smuggling and drug trafficking but also at reducing crimes such as homicides and protecting Argentina’s borders from illegal activities.
Minister Bullrich announced, in an interview with radio Mitre, that Milei’s government would intensify inspections, particularly in the Misiones region in northeastern Argentina, which borders the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. She pointed out that this area has been a critical point due to the ease with which people manage to cross the border, often on foot, creating a considerable vulnerability to the region’s security. Bullrich mentioned border towns such as Bernardo de Irigoyen in Argentina and Dionísio Cerqueira in Brazil, which share intense trade and migration flows, making them essential to the security efforts.
According to the minister, the border between Misiones and Brazil is permeable, with few effective control points and large gaps in patrolling. Bullrich reported that, in several of these areas, it is possible to cross on foot without encountering any formal inspection, which she described as a “very serious flaw” in the region’s security. She also mentioned that the presence of criminals, such as hitmen operating in the area, complicates the situation further, creating an unsafe reality for both local residents and authorities responsible for protecting the borders.
Concerns over security are not limited to irregular immigration but also involve the impact of currency exchange differences between the Argentine peso and the Brazilian real, which have generated a significant flow of goods between the two countries. This elevated flow of products has led to additional challenges, such as increased smuggling and the illegal entry of products, which, according to Bullrich, further complicates the authorities’ task. She emphasized that the Argentine government is taking measures to control these issues and ensure that trade between the countries is conducted legally and securely.
Patricia Bullrich made it clear that the government’s objective is to strengthen security at all of Argentina’s borders. “We are strengthening each border step by step. We will occupy these critical points, and with that, we can say that we will have a much more controlled border,” said the minister. In addition to the border with Brazil, security actions will also be expanded in the border region with Paraguay, specifically in the provinces of Chaco and Salta, where control over entries and exits will be reinforced. The minister also mentioned that Argentina is preparing to conduct more intensive patrols and increase the presence of security forces in higher-risk areas to direct those attempting to cross the border illegally to immigration control points.
The most visible and immediate measure of Milei’s government is the construction of a fence in the city of Águas Blancas in northern Argentina, which borders the Bolivian city of Bermejo. The fence, which will be made of steel and 200 meters long, will be reinforced with barbed wire at the top and concrete posts, with the aim of hindering the illegal passage of people through the region. The tender for the fence’s construction was published in the official journal of the province of Salta on January 27. According to the provincial government, the installation of the fence responds to a direct request from Milei’s government and aims to combat the illegal trafficking of people and products. The fence will be installed along the path from the bus station to the city’s immigration post, in an effort to ensure that citizens arriving through this route are forced to pass through immigration controls.
The fence is part of the so-called “Plan Güemes,” a comprehensive border security strategy that seeks to combat not only smuggling but also drug trafficking and human trafficking, activities that, according to authorities, have significantly increased in the region. Bullrich emphasized that, in addition to the fence installation, the Argentine government is moving more security personnel to patrol higher-risk areas, with the aim of increasing inspections and ensuring that all critical points are under control.
Regarding the possibility of an electrified fence, the minister rejected the idea, considering it “insane” due to the high cost and complexity involved. She explained that the current wall in the region, although low, is already a vulnerability because it can be easily surpassed by people attempting to cross illegally. The new fence will be a more practical and efficient solution to the problem, Bullrich stated.
Argentina’s decision to install a fence on its border with Bolivia has generated a concerned reaction from the Bolivian government. The Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement expressing concern over the measure, arguing that border issues should be addressed through bilateral dialogue mechanisms between the countries, not through unilateral actions. The Bolivian Foreign Ministry also suggested that the construction of the fence could negatively affect the good relations between the two nations, compromising peaceful coexistence between brotherly peoples.
The Bolivian government announced it would request information about the fence’s construction through diplomatic channels to better understand the initiative and assess its potential implications for bilateral relations. In response, Patricia Bullrich was emphatic, reaffirming Argentina’s sovereignty over its borders. “Within our borders, we do what we want. We are putting a fence in our house, in our homeland,” she said, challenging Bolivia’s criticism and highlighting Argentina’s right to adopt security measures according to its internal needs.
The actions of Javier Milei’s government are seen as part of a broader strategy to strengthen control over Argentina’s borders and ensure that illegal activities such as drug trafficking, smuggling, and illegal immigration are effectively tackled. The construction of the fence in Águas Blancas is just the beginning of a process that may involve more security measures in the coming weeks and months. Moreover, the implementation of stricter surveillance and the increase in security forces in border regions signal the government’s commitment to maintaining security and public order in the country.
With these measures, Argentina aims not only to protect its borders but also to preserve internal security and political stability, addressing complex challenges involving the border dynamics with neighboring countries. The future of relations with Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay will depend on how these issues are managed in the coming months, particularly regarding bilateral dialogue and regional security collaboration.
