Argentina: Uptick in gang violence reported in Rosario

Event

Gang warfare has surged in Rosario (Sante Fe province) in recent months, and has resulted in the murder of at least six people since Monday, February 5. Among the areas most affected by the violence is La Tablada neighborhood (officially Barrio General José de San Martín) - considered the epicenter of an ongoing narcotic gang war between the Funes and Caminos gangs. Additional incidents of gang-related violence and a heightened security presence are expected in Rosario, particularly in La Tablada, in the coming weeks.

Context

Conflict between the Funes and Caminos groups has escalated since March 2016, when the mother of Lautaro Funes, a prominent member of the Funes gang, was reportedly murdered. According to media reports, some 41 murders have been recorded in a 40-block radius in southwestern Rosario over the past 11 months, many of which are attributed to the ongoing gang conflict; in total, gang-related violence has left 26 people dead across the city thus far in 2018.

Rosario is generally considered one of the most violent cities in Argentina.

Advice

Individuals in Rosario are advised to monitor developments to the situation, report any suspicious objects or behavior, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.