# Security Services in Argentina Canonical page: https://closeprotectionhire.com/countries/argentina/ Security services in Argentina. Close protection and secure transport for Buenos Aires from operators licensed in the city or the province. ## Regulations - **Licensing**: Buenos Aires City (CABA) licenses private security under Ley 5.688 (Libro VI). The Dirección General de Seguridad Privada y Custodia de Bienes grants the habilitación for vigilance, custody and private security of persons and property, and anyone hiring a provider must check it holds that habilitación. In Buenos Aires Province, outside the city, private security companies are governed by Ley 12.297 (1999), with the provincial Ministerio de Seguridad as the authority of application. - **Firearms**: Firearms in Argentina are governed by the national Ley 20.429 on arms and explosives, administered by the Registro Nacional de Armas (RENAR) under the national Ministry of Security; RENAR replaced the Agencia Nacional de Materiales Controlados. In Buenos Aires City the Dirección General de Seguridad Privada y Custodia de Bienes keeps a register of the weapons used by licensed providers. Ask the provider in writing which authorisations cover any armed officer. - **Foreign operators**: The rules for foreign security companies and foreign personnel in Argentina could not be confirmed against a primary source on 7 October 2026. Use a provider holding the city or provincial habilitación for the place of work, and take local legal advice before a foreign team carries out protective duties. Sources, checked 2026-10-07: - [Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Seguridad Privada y Custodia de Bienes](https://buenosaires.gob.ar/justiciayseguridad/seguridad-privada) - [Normas Provincia de Buenos Aires, Ley 12.297](https://normas.gba.gob.ar/ar-b/ley/1999/12297/4548) - [Diario de Cuyo, RENAR replaces ANMaC under the Ministry of Security (4 November 2025)](https://www.diariodecuyo.com.ar/argentina/el-gobierno-habilito-la-compra-y-tenencia-de-fusiles-semiautomaticos-a-civiles-cuales-son-los-requisitos-1795231.html) ## Cities covered - **Buenos Aires**: Argentina's capital and financial centre. Express kidnapping, armed carjacking in Palermo, Recoleta, and San Isidro, and the mustard scam targeting tourists are the primary crime vectors. Piquetero road blockades periodically disrupt airport transfers. Protests near the British Embassy occur during Falklands-related commemorations. Argentina is South America's second-largest economy and a significant destination for financial services, agribusiness, and HNWI travel. Buenos Aires is a major regional commercial city with a sophisticated security services market. The current risk environment reflects the country's economic pressures and a rise in acquisitive crime. FCDO rates Argentina at a general travel warning level. US State Department maintains Argentina at Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) for most of the country, but Buenos Aires carries a higher local crime rating from OSAC. ## Express kidnapping in Buenos Aires Express kidnapping in Buenos Aires targets individuals perceived as affluent, including visiting executives and returning diaspora. The methodology mirrors the broader Latin American pattern: victims are taken, typically via compromised vehicles, to ATMs and required to make cash withdrawals. Incidents in Buenos Aires tend to be short-duration and financially motivated rather than prolonged negotiated abductions. Ground transport management eliminates the primary vector. Using only pre-vetted, identified drivers with tracked vehicles removes most of the exposure. Street hailing of taxis in Buenos Aires carries documented risk. ## Armed carjacking Armed carjacking has been documented in affluent areas including Palermo, Recoleta, and San Isidro. The perpetrators target higher-value vehicles and conduct surveillance before intercepting. Anti-surveillance driving protocols and avoiding predictable route patterns are appropriate countermeasures for high-profile clients. ## The regulatory framework Argentina's private security industry is more formally regulated than much of Latin America. Buenos Aires City licenses private security under Ley 5.688 and the province under Ley 12.297, so a provider's habilitación can be checked. The Buenos Aires market has a significant pool of former federal police and military professionals working in licensed CP. This is a market where quality operators exist and are verifiable through the regulatory system. Source: FCDO Travel Advice: Argentina (2025). Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Seguridad Privada y Custodia de Bienes (checked 7 October 2026). OSAC Argentina Country Security Report 2024. US State Department Argentina Travel Advisory (2025). Our vetted operators provide [close protection and executive protection](/services/executive-protection/) and [security driver services](/services/security-drivers/) across Argentina. For a detailed local assessment, see our [Buenos Aires city briefing](/cities/buenos-aires/). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the mustard scam and how does it work? The mustard scam is a distraction theft technique that operates widely in Buenos Aires. A stranger approaches the target and points out a stain (often mustard or similar substance) on their clothing, which was placed there by an accomplice moments before. While the target is distracted, a second or third accomplice steals from pockets or bags. The scam operates in tourist areas including San Telmo, La Boca, and around the Obelisk. The counter-measure is to immediately disengage from any uninvited approach and move to a secure location before checking any alleged stain. ### What are Piquetero road blockades and how do they affect airport transfers? Piquetero blockades are organised road closures by activist groups protesting economic conditions, government policy, or labour disputes. They are an established feature of Argentine civil society and occur with varying frequency. Major arteries including the Autopista Riccheri, the primary route between Buenos Aires and Ministro Pistarini International Airport, are periodically blocked. Airport transfers should include contingency routing. Time buffers of at least 90 minutes beyond normal transit time are standard for professionally managed airport movements during periods of protest activity. ### Is there a specific risk near the British Embassy in Buenos Aires? Yes. Argentina's claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) remains a politically active issue. Commemorative dates, including 2 April (Malvinas Day) and 14 June (Falklands surrender anniversary), attract protests near the British Embassy on Dr Luis Agote. The protests are generally peaceful but can generate crowd congestion and occasional disorder. British nationals with a visible government or diplomatic profile should take additional precautions around these dates.