He national Government gave reserved orders so that the Army and the Armada They begin to mobilize the northern border area to reinforce surveillance. This measure, within the framework of the “Roca operation”applied together with the Gendarmerie and allows to detain civilians transitory to those who commit crimes, but only in cases of flagrance.
This operation was formalized on April 15 and backed by Decree 1112/2024 and the National defense Law. In line with the provisions, contemplates A flexible deployment that will adjust to the different scenarios of the northern border.
The personnel involved received training through practical exercises under the “commitment rules” that the uniformed should follow when they are in the territory and will have again individual protective equipment. These are orders given to troops whenever they mobilize and have the objective of ordering the behavior of the troops. According to defense sources they clarified Infobaethese are kept in reserve.
In this operation, army brigades They add more than 10,000 troopsof which up to 1,300 are maintained permanently in the intervention areas. For the Control and surveillance tasks Drones, mobile radars, helicopters, communications systems and a diamond plane are used for surveys are used.
The minister of Defense, Luis Petridefended the decision to the criticisms that arose after the news has been publicly taken: “Yes, it is a controversial measure for all who defend drug traffickers, terrorists and violent criminals. They choose which side they will be.”
“The law authorizes the Armed Forces to strengthen border control. The possibility of flagrance detention is provided for in all the procedural codes of the provinces and the nation. Only ideological bias canceled and handcuffed our forces,” added the official.
And he completed: “All bordering countries with Argentina use their armed forces for the control and surveillance of its borders, the United States has just announced it in January, why are some of them shocked?”
Las Armed forces They will perform in rural areas away from urban centers and official border crossingswith the purpose of obtaining strategic information for national defense. This operation is part of a joint effort to reinforce security at the northern and northeast borders of the country, both in the land and in the aerospace.
The “Roca Operation” adds to the already advanced Güemes planwhich is executed since last year and had its second launch in an act that was headed by Petri, the Minister of National Security, Patricia Bullrichand the governor of the province of Salta, Gustavo Sáenz. “We launched the new corridor that covers Tartagal, Aguaray and Salvador Mazza. This is a critical area of our border, and it was urgent to reinforce the presence of the State with decision and without half inks,” said the provincial president in an post of X.
The deployment is registered with the provisions of the National Defense Lawwhich defines national protection as “the integration and coordinated action of all the forces of the Nation for the solution of those conflicts that require the use of the Armed Forces.” To this are added the provisions of the Internal Security Law No. 24,059 and Decree-Law No. 15,385/44, which They enable cooperation between military and security forces in border areas, in the face of risks to the life, freedom and heritage of Argentines.
During an act carried out in the 52th “Tartagal” squad of Gendarmería Nacional, Bullrich highlighted the government’s commitment to eradicate criminal networks: “Many neighbors live with fear or live with criminals. That is why we come to tell them that we have identified each of the bands that operate in this area and we will dismantle them one by one ”.
The minister pointed out that the plan not only seeks to eliminate control of the bands, but also to return tranquility to the affected communities: “Not a millimeter of the Argentine land can be under control of criminal gangs. We are going to release every corner that has been taken by drug trafficking and return the legality to the people”.
According to Bullrich, the system will allow Bolivia to report real time on flights from its territorywhich will facilitate the interception of illegal movements. “With cooperation, technology and political decision, we will recover total control of our borders “he concluded.
