Patricia Bullrich attacks Kicillof after court suspends juvenile criminal law in Buenos Aires province

Patricia Bullrich launched a harsh attack on Axel Kicillof after a Buenos Aires provincial court suspended the new juvenile criminal law for 60 days. The libertarian senator accused the governor of siding with criminals and said residents were being left to live behind bars and in fear.

“What terror it is to live in a province that ignores decent Argentines, where criminals have free rein,” Bullrich wrote. She also described the provincial justice system as overly permissive, saying it releases offenders so they can continue “robbing, murdering and destroying families.”

The suspension was issued by Marta Elba Pascual, head of the Juvenile Criminal Responsibility Court No. 2 in Lomas de Zamora. The ruling followed a collective preventive habeas corpus petition filed by the Federación Familia Grande Hogar de Cristo on behalf of adolescents deprived of their liberty.

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What terror it is to live in a province that ignores decent Argentines, where criminals have free rein.

According to the ruling, the judge focused on Buenos Aires province’s capacity and infrastructure to handle the legal change. The law took effect last Saturday after Congress approved it in February. It establishes a juvenile criminal regime for adolescents from age 14 until they turn 18, when they are accused of offenses under the Criminal Code or other criminal laws.

The new system has faced objections from prosecutors and judges who handle juvenile cases at both national and provincial levels. Projections from the Juvenile Responsibility Forum of the Buenos Aires Association of Magistrates and Officials estimate that criminal cases could increase by 40% to 60%. The provincial prosecutor’s office said 1,857 juvenile criminal proceedings began in 2025, involving 1,828 minors.

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In Buenos Aires province you have Kicillof siding with criminals, while residents live behind bars, in fear, and with no one providing security.