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Argentina implements new juvenile criminal regime for ages 14-18
Argentina has implemented Law 27.801, establishing a new Juvenile Criminal Regime that lowers the age of criminal responsibility to 14. The law, regulated by Decree 875/2026, allows adolescents between 14 and 18 to face criminal proceedings within a specialized system designed to balance accountability with education and social reintegration. Key provisions include a maximum sentence of 15 years and a total prohibition of life imprisonment for minors.
Implementation across Argentine provinces shows varying levels of readiness. Córdoba has prepared specialized housing within the Esperanza Complex, while Chaco and Corrientes have already begun applying the new measures. In contrast, Neuquén is currently working on legislative adaptations to align local child protection laws with the national mandate.
The reform has faced significant legal and social challenges. In the Province of Buenos Aires, Judge Marta Pascual suspended the application of the law for 60 days, citing a critical lack of infrastructure and resources to safely house the expected increase in juvenile detainees. This has sparked a conflict between the executive branch, which views the suspension as an ideological move against public security, and judicial sectors that argue the state cannot meet the constitutional requirements for juvenile detention.
Entities
Argentina · Chaco · Complejo Esperanza · Cordoba · Corrientes · Government of Argentina · Javier Milei · Law 27.801 · Marta Pascual · Ministry of Justice · Ministry of Justice of Argentina
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Life imprisonment is prohibited for minors under the new law. www.eldiariodemadrid.es
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Chaco and Corrientes have begun implementing the new juvenile criminal regime. www.diariolavozdelchaco.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Córdoba established a specific housing module in the Esperanza Complex for adolescents aged 14 and 15. www.perfil.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A 16-year-old was detained in Concordia, Entre Ríos, following a police operation involving cocaine. www.centraldenoticiasmadariaga.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The maximum deprivation of liberty for minors is 15 years. www.eldiariodemadrid.es
- [● 2 SOURCES] Judge Marta Pascual suspended the application of the new regime in Buenos Aires province for 60 days due to lack of infrastructure. diarioconurbano.com.ar · politicaymedios.com.ar
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Neuquén is developing a legislative project to adapt local child protection laws to the national juvenile criminal regime. www.rionegro.com.ar
- [● 5 SOURCES] The new law applies to adolescents aged 14 to 18. www.eldiariodemadrid.es · www.centraldenoticiasmadariaga.com · www.diariolavozdelchaco.com · www.perfil.com · www.rionegro.com.ar