What You Need to Know:
Two Argentinians, aged 61 and 53, have been arrested following an investigation into threats sent to the US Ambassador to Argentina Marc Stanley and his family in November 2023. Late last year, two phone calls were made to the US embassy, the first in which the caller shouted “death to everyone in the embassy and residence”, and the second in which the caller stated they wanted to “talk to the Ambassador because I want them to reduce death sentences in the US.”
A five month investigation by Argentina’s Anti-Terrorist Investigative Unit in conjunction with the Federal Police traced the calls to a call center in La Plata, a city 37 miles southeast of Buenos Aires, where the US embassy is located.
The Details:
In a statement released on X, Argentina’s Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich congratulated police on conducting a raid on the homes of two suspects, who were subsequently arrested for the illegal possession of a firearm and public intimidation.
“In the raids, those responsible had firearms, newspaper clippings alluding to different attacks perpetrated in Middle Eastern countries and manuscripts with information on the location of embassies at the national and international level. All detained and at the disposal of Justice.”
Dos hombres amenazaron al embajador de Estados Unidos y su familia y la PFA logró vincular los llamados hacia un locutorio de La Plata, encontrando así a los responsables.
En los allanamientos, los responsables tenían armas de fuego, recortes periodísticos alusivos de diferentes… pic.twitter.com/nK6c0EOy8g
— Patricia Bullrich (@PatoBullrich) April 8, 2024
So, What Now?:
This latest threat is the second to be received by the embassy, with the Israeli and United embassies in Argentina receiving bomb threats via email following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th. The email read: “We have planted a bomb and are going to kill all Jews.” Argentina holds the largest Jewish population in Latin America, with Ambassador Marc Stanley also being Jewish. The embassy was evacuated and an investigation ruled later there was no “credible threat.”
It is not uncommon for embassies to receive threats, particularly in areas where that country’s presence is disliked by some of its population. In recent months, Argentina has been the scene of large protests against President Javier Milei’s proposed ‘budget slashing reforms’ encapsulated in his controversial ‘Omnibus Reform Bill.’ President Milei has also stated his intent to form closer strategic ties with the United States.
Just three days ago Milei met with the head of the United States Southern Command Laura Richardson in Tierra Del Fuego’s capital, Ushuaia. Thus, increased threats to the embassy may be linked to Argentine cells with anti-American or anti-Israeli sentiments. In February, President Milei visited Israel and stated his intent to move the Argentine embassy to west Jerusalem in a show of support after the October 7th attack.
Since the October 7th attacks and the onset of the Israeli counteroffensive in Gaza, thousands of Argentinian’s have taken part in pro-Palestine and pro-Israel rallies in Buenos Aires and neighboring cities.
Furthermore, President Milei’s controversial approach to reforming the country’s social, economic, and security sectors has proven to be extremely divisive among the Argentine populace.
