Following the recent spate of violence in Rosario, the Argentine government has launched a security offensive in soccer superstar Lionel Messi’s hometown. On Wednesday, 300 additional federal police officers arrived in the port city on the Paraná River. “There is a lot to do. Nothing that needs to be done is easy. But it is necessary to get to the root of the problem,” said Security Minister Aníbal Fernández when presenting the new officials.
After a series of high-profile acts of violence in Rosario, the Argentine government announced that it would increase the number of federal police officers to 1,400. In addition, the army’s engineering corps will help with work to upgrade the slums. “It is necessary to clean up the neighborhoods,” said Security Minister Fernández. “We will invest whatever is necessary. We will not stand still.”
Drug gang attacks
Rosario suffers from a wave of violence. Several drug gangs are vying for control of the city northwest of Buenos Aires. So far this year, 64 people have been killed in Rosario. Most recently, an eleven-year-old boy was shot dead on the street by suspected drug dealers, and three other children were injured in the attack.
Last week, unidentified gunmen fired 14 shots at Lionel Messi’s father-in-law’s supermarket, leaving a note that read: “Messi, we’re waiting for you.”
