The Government has created an Anti-Blockade Cabinet within the Ministry of Security

The Ministry of National Security has put into operation in its orbit the so-called Anti-lock cabinet whose main functions will be to prevent blockades of businesses across the country and provide legal advice to victims of this crime. The lawyer will be responsible for the unit. Juan Beluardofrom the space of the minister of that portfolio, Patrizia Bullrichwho knows a lot about the topic as he has served as an attorney in three iconic domestic dairy freeze cases: Mayol Dairy, Vidal Dairy and SanCor.

“We have decided to create an anti-trade blockade unit – which has the approval of the President of the Nation – directly from the Ministry of Security with the aim of intervening where there is a flagrant crime such as a blockade. In the event that the police forces of the provinces, i.e. the local ones, do not intercede, the federal force will intercede: the blockade will end yes or yes“, explained Beluardo in dialogue with Rural Clarin.

Subsequently, the cabinet will accompany the victims by monitoring all cases and providing technical legal support. The idea is that there are two or three people working in each province to be able to act immediately in the event of a lockdown, but this staffing arrangement has not yet been finalized.

According to the lawyer, anyone who is a victim or is facing an imminent lockdown situation can file the relevant complaint through a telephone number that has not yet been assigned but which would be similar to the three-digit numbers used for emergencies or citizen assistance. From there, the government’s legal body will advise them on the correct way to proceed and federal forces will be tasked with easing the blockade.

The protocol for the operation of the unit is practically ready, only some formal details are missing but, as Beluardo announced, “the organization has already started”. The project has been in the works since December 10, 2023, and was mostly completed last Thursday. For this reason, that same day, Minister Bullrich and Beluardo met with members of two damaged companies: Transporte Mediterráneo de Neuquén, in the hydrocarbon sector, paralyzed by the truck drivers’ union since August 2023; and the SanCor cooperative, in conflict since last October with the dairy workers union Atilra, to offer them legal follow-up of cases, especially in criminal matters, with the cabinet lawyers.

“Any business that finds itself in a jam or feels it has a jam on its door can report today. From now on, Now you can communicate with the Ministry authorities or you can contact me through open social networks.

“Once we intervene to end the blockade, we will follow the legal issues so that it does not go unpunished because, normally, in blockades complaints are made and then they are all destined for the file“said the head of the new unit.

End of greys

The Ministry of Security is also at work amendment of the penal codeto introduce an article that specifically addresses the blockades, which they intend to send to Congress in the package of laws promoted by the national government

“We want which penetrates directly into the lock. Blocking is a crime and today there is no exhaustive article that tells you: if you block, this is your responsibility. What is there is grey: if you disturb the property it’s something like that; If you attack the economy it’s another; There is debate as to whether it was a partial or total blockade. In other words, there is a simple article missing in the Penal Code which says that anyone who prevents the normal functioning of a company by not allowing the entry and/or exit of workers, goods or anything else, be they legal or natural persons , will be “this sanction is appropriate”.