Surveillance technology expansion in Breña and Buenos Aires

Municipalities in Peru and Argentina are implementing or attempting to reactivate facial recognition surveillance systems, sparking different local responses.

In Breña, Peru, the local municipality inaugurated a new Citizen Security Monitoring Center (CECOM). The district currently operates 40 intelligent cameras and plans to expand the network to 200 by the end of the year. These new devices utilize artificial intelligence and facial recognition technology to detect and classify people and vehicles, aiding in the identification of individuals involved in criminal activities. The monitoring centers will be interconnected with the National Police of Peru to improve emergency response.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, the city government is seeking to reactivate a facial recognition system through a new bidding process. The system has been suspended for four years following a judicial ruling that declared its implementation unconstitutional in 2022. Human rights organizations, including CELS, have raised concerns regarding the previous use of the technology, alleging it was used to create arbitrary lists involving approximately 10 million people rather than solely locating fugitives.