Argentina: The Crime rate is out of control

ARGENTINA (3): More and more reports out of Argentina show that the crime rate in the country is out of control. Murders in Buenos Aires province are now being committed every four and a half hours. According to government statistics, over 1,300 people were murdered last year in the Buenos Aires suburbs, 302 more than in 2000, but so far this year this rate has skyrocketed to an average of five homicides per day. Last Friday, a 23-year old man was the victim of an "express kidnapping" outside the capital, Buenos Aires. The victim was later killed despite his parent's payment of their last $700 in ransom. Express kidnappings are also increasing in number, with at least 211 such cases reported in the first five months of this year in Buenos Aires and the surrounding areas alone. This is a 505 percent increase over the number of cases reported in 2001. On Saturday, an Argentine legislator was abducted as he drove home with his two young daughters. The kidnappers forced him to drive to his home in the Adrogue neighborhood of the capital, where they stole jewelry and cash. Those traveling to or doing business in Argentina, especially Buenos Aires, are strongly urged to employ executive protection services, as those perceived to be wealthy have been repeated targets of crime.

In other news, a Muslim cemetery in Buenos Aires was desecrated over the weekend. The attack, which has sparked outrage among the Muslim community, may be a sign of growing religious tension sparked by the economic crisis.