CRIME: Most American citizens visit Argentina without incident. Nevertheless, street crime in the larger cities, especially greater Buenos Aires, is a problem for residents and visitors alike. Visitors to Buenos Aires and popular tourist destinations should be alert to muggers, pickpockets, and purse-snatchers on the street and at bus and train stations. Criminals usually work in groups, are usually armed, and employ a variety of ruses to victimize the unsuspecting visitor. A common scam is to spray mustard or a similar substance on the tourist from a distance. A pickpocket will then approach the tourist offering to help clean the stain, and while doing so, rob the victim. Another common scam is for victims to be approached by someone with a map asking for directions, while an accomplice robs the victim. Several American visitors and residents have been robbed of their watches and jewelry while walking on the street. While few visitors are injured, a large percentage of victims are threatened with weapons. Criminals do not hesitate to use force when they encounter resistance. Visitors are advised to immediately hand over all cash and valuables if confronted. Wearing expensive watches or jewelry increases your chances of being robbed. Your passport is a valuable document and should be well guarded. Whenever possible, lock your passport and other valuables in a hotel safe, and carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes.
Along with conventional muggings, "express” kidnappings continue to occur, especially in less well-off areas. Victims are grabbed off the street based on their appearance and vulnerability, the family or co-workers are then contacted and told to deliver the cash that they have on hand or can gather in a couple of hours. Once the ransom is paid, the victim is usually quickly released unharmed. There have been some foreign victims and visitors are particularly advised not to let children and adolescents travel alone.
The Argentine Federal Police have established a special Tourist Police Unit to receive complaints and investigate crimes against tourists. In the period from January 2004 to January 2005, the Federal Police took action in 1,083 cases involving tourists, of which 162 involved American citizens.
Dit zegt de US state department
"We moeten ons bewust zijn van de superioriteit van onze beschaving, met zijn normen en waarden, welvaart voor de mensen, respect voor mensenrechten en godsdienstvrijheid. Dat respect bestaat zeker niet in de Islamitische wereld".