President Javier Milei has presented a sweeping overhaul to Argentina’s Penal Code, proposing significantly harsher penalties for all criminal offenses. The reform aims to increase deterrence, close loopholes, and reinforce personal security across the nation.

Under the new draft, key changes include raising minimum sentences across the board—especially for homicide, assault, robbery, and gun crimes—and applying stricter measures in cases of repeat offenses. The proposal also envisions that those sentenced to life imprisonment will lose access to parole, turning “perpetua” into a sentence that truly means life.

The reform further introduces enhanced punishments for modern crimes like cyber-fraud, corruption, and public disturbances. The government plans to adjust the penal scales in empirical terms: for example, minimum sentences for homicide could rise by up to two-thirds. It also targets criminal conduct in public events—such as violence in stadiums, ticket scalping, and obstruction of large gatherings—as aggravable offenses.

Milei’s team argues the current system is overly lenient and emboldens lawlessness. For them, justice must be both firm and certain: the message is clear — “delito de adulto, pena de adulto.” Whether the reforms reach Congress and withstand legal scrutiny remains the next hurdle.