The Argentine government has promoted a new juvenile criminal regime with the aim of combating impunity and providing justice to victims. The proposal seeks to reduce the age of liability to 13 years and establish a specific legal framework for adolescents who commit crimes defined in the Penal Code. A maximum sentence of 20 years is proposed, and life imprisonment is prohibited within this new system.
In recent statements, PRO legislator Laura Rodríguez Machado emphasized the importance of this measure, arguing that it is essential to grant victims the justice they deserve and to give young people the opportunity for rehabilitation. However, she stresses that those who commit crimes must face the consequences of their actions.
To move forward with the project, a work scheme is expected to be created to obtain a commission ruling next week. This push arises from the impact of the murder of Kim Gómez in La Plata, a case that has deeply affected public opinion and stimulated the discussion around lowering the age of liability in the country.
The new Juvenile Criminal Regime includes not only prison sentences but also alternative sanctions such as warnings, prohibitions on contacting the victim, electronic monitoring, and rehabilitation programs. It aims to promote the reintegration of young people through educational, sports, and civic training programs, as well as providing medical treatment if necessary.
To ensure the effectiveness of this regime, the figure of a supervisor is proposed, who will be responsible for accompanying and guiding the young offender during their rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The government seeks to expedite the legislative process in order to respond to situations such as the tragic murder of Kim Gómez, committed by two adolescents.
The debate surrounding the reduction of liability for minors under 16 has generated controversy in the Chamber of Deputies, where different parliamentary blocs seek to reach consensus to advance the sanctioning of the proposed initiative. The president of the Penal Legislation Commission, Laura Rodríguez Machado, has announced that a work schedule will be presented for the treatment of this project with a view to its approval.
In this context, the need to advance a legal framework that combats impunity and provides effective tools for the rehabilitation of young offenders is highlighted. The government seeks to accelerate the legislative process in the urgency of addressing situations like the tragedy of Kim Gómez, which has generated a necessary debate regarding the criminal responsibility of minors in Argentina.
