The threat had forced the evacuation of the diplomatic headquarters in Palermo, but the operation ruled out explosives
The threat had come in through a phone call and immediately triggered security protocols. Embassy staff were evacuated while explosives specialists inspected both the building and its surroundings. During the operation, vehicular and pedestrian traffic was also halted on Colombia Avenue, between the vicinity of the entrance to the diplomatic representation and Sarmiento Avenue.
The Argentine Federal Police arrested on Friday in the province of Jujuy the person responsible for the bomb threat against the United States Embassy, following a swift investigation conducted by the Federal Investigation Department with technical assistance from the FBI.
The intimidation had prompted the preventive evacuation of the diplomatic headquarters located in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Palermo, as well as a significant deployment of federal forces, City Police officers, and U.S. security personnel.
According to national authorities, a technical report prepared by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States allowed for the identification of the suspect and determined his location in Jujuy territory.
With this information, agents from the Federal Investigation Department of the PFA carried out the operation that ended with the arrest of the accused. So far, his name, age, and other details about his identity have not been publicly disclosed.
After several hours of inspection, the security forces ruled out the presence of explosive devices or suspicious items. The Embassy later confirmed that all its personnel were safe and praised the professionalism of the Federal Police and the City Police during the operation.
Although the intimidation turned out to be false, the investigation continued to establish the origin of the communication and locate its responsible party. The efforts made by the federal force and the cooperation provided by the FBI allowed for rapid progress leading to the capture.
The Minister of Security, Alejandra Monteoliva, highlighted the speed of the operation and attributed the arrest to the professional work of the Federal Police, reinforced by the technical collaboration of the FBI. “In Argentina, there is no place for those who seek to intimidate or instill fear. They do it, they pay for it,” she stated.
