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Javier Milei, president of Argentina, wants to expand barriers on the border with Brazil, mirroring Trump's wall. The measure is already underway in Bolivia and could reach Misiones.
O President of Argentina, Javier Milei, once again generated controversy by suggesting a tightening of border controls with Brazil.
The move has been compared to former US President Donald Trump's plan to build a wall on the border with Mexico.
The Argentine proposal has already begun to be implemented on the border with Bolivia and could expand to other neighboring countries.
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Reinforcement on the border with Brazil
According to G1 portal, Argentina's Security Minister, Patricia Bullrich, confirmed the intention to reinforce surveillance on the border with Brazil, especially in the province of Misiones.
“In addition to Bolivia, we plan to expand this policy to other border points. Now, we are going to the border in Misiones with Brazil, which is a border where you enter the country on foot in many places, and where we have had murderers and problems,” declared the minister in an interview with Argentine radio Mitre.
Construction of barrier in Bolivia
Milei's initiative began to take shape in northern Argentina, in the province of Salta, where local authorities announced on the 24th the construction of a 200-meter-long fence on the border with Bolivia. The aim is to curb smuggling and the illegal entry of people.
The decision follows a broader government strategy to tighten controls on border areas, arguing that tighter enforcement will help combat organized crime.
Impact on trade and security
Adrián Zigaran, the city councilor for Aguas Blancas, confirmed that the fence will be 2,50 meters high and will be installed on the route between the Argentine customs office and a bus terminal.
The barrier will be located before the Bermejo River, a passage used for the transit of illegal goods and also for purchases by Argentines in the Bolivian city of Bermejo.
The Argentine government has highlighted that the uncontrolled entry of products without formal taxation negatively impacts local trade, causing losses to companies and formal workers.
“They are bringing in air conditioners, double-door refrigerators, state-of-the-art appliances, and they are making 10 trips a day. The truth is that they are disrupting the commercial fabric of Orán and northern Argentina with this lack of control over the import of illegal goods.”, Zigaran said.
Concerns about smuggling are not new, but the implementation of physical barriers represents an escalation in the attempt to contain the problem.
The economic impact of these measures is still uncertain, but local traders are already showing concern about possible negative effects on consumer flow.
Bolivia's reaction
The decision has already generated a reaction from Bolivia. The Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern and warned that unilateral measures could affect relations between the countries.
Bolivian diplomacy argued that any action involving borders must be dealt with through bilateral dialogue.
“Any unilateral measure can affect good neighborliness and peaceful coexistence between brotherly peoples”, said a statement from the Bolivian government.
Plan Güemes and the fight against crime
The construction of the barrier is part of the “Güemes Plan”, launched by the Milei government in December 2024 to combat federal crimes, mainly related to drug trafficking.
The Bermejo River region is identified by the Argentine Ministry of Security as part of the “Drug Route”, being one of the main entry points for narcotics into the country.
The Argentine government's plan aims to strengthen security not only with physical barriers, but also with increased police presence and greater cooperation between security agencies.
Consequences for Brazil
The possible expansion of barriers to the border with Brazil raises debates about security, trade and diplomacy.
While Argentine authorities defend the measure as necessary to curb transnational crimes, critics point out that closing borders could generate economic losses and diplomatic tensions with neighboring countries.
Brazil has not yet made an official statement on the proposal, but experts indicate that the impact on bilateral relations could be significant.
In addition to diplomatic issues, there are concerns about the social impacts of the measure. Border regions often depend economically on the movement of people and goods between neighboring countries.
Tighter restrictions could harm local communities, which rely on informal trade as an important source of livelihood.
“If they close the border, what will happen to those who depend on sales?”, asks a merchant from the Misiones region.
The future of Argentina's borders
The debate over security on South American borders is not new, but Milei's proposal adds a new element to the discussion.
The idea of erecting physical barriers raises questions about their real effectiveness in combating crime and their impacts on the daily lives of border populations.
Will tightening borders bring more security or harm relations between countries? Leave your opinion in the comments!
Does anyone take this Argentine buffoon seriously?
Building the wall is their right. No problem. But criminals won't pass through there, the border is too wide. Imagine building a wall between Riveira and Livramento.
I think the Argentines won't like this ****, because they love Brazil, our beaches, our natural beauty and they like to invest and do business here. I think they need us more than we need them, humbly speaking.