Buenos Aires government halts new construction in "La Carbonilla" settlement

Buenos Aires authorities launched an "order and inspection" operation in the "La Carbonilla" settlement in the La Paternal neighborhood, aiming to restrict the entry of construction materials and curb further expansion. The operation involved over 100 officers from the City Police, along with personnel from the Institute of Housing, the Governmental Control Agency, and other relevant ministries.

During the deployment, officials inspected access points to the settlement, removed abandoned vehicles, and examined various businesses, including cell phone stores and material yards. City Mayor Jorge Macri was present to oversee the operation, emphasizing the commitment to enforcing rules and improving residents' living conditions. "We are enforcing the rules, with more security and better living conditions for the neighbors. We will not allow any settlement to continue growing. Law and order throughout the City," Macri stated.

The measure is based on a resolution that mandates a protocol for registering and inspecting the transport and storage of construction materials. The city government plans weekly inspections by control teams to detect and shut down unauthorized construction. Inspections will also extend to other establishments within the settlement, such as gas cylinder depots and beverage distributors.

The "La Carbonilla" settlement, which emerged around late 2001 on national land adjacent to railway tracks, has grown to house over 4,000 residents. Initial precarious structures have evolved into multi-level buildings. A city report noted significant vertical growth between 2021 and 2025, with new constructions on existing structures reaching heights between 3 and 20 meters.