Argentine Federal Police

The Argentine Federal Police, also known by its abbreviation AFP, is the national civil police force of Argentina and operates under the authority of the Ministry of Security. Its primary mandate is to enforce federal law across the country, which includes investigating and preventing crimes that fall under national jurisdiction such as drug trafficking, organized crime, terrorism, human smuggling, and cybercrime. The agency also provides specialized support to provincial and municipal police forces when federal interests are involved, and it maintains units dedicated to intelligence gathering, forensic analysis, and the protection of critical infrastructure. In addition to its investigative functions, the AFP is responsible for border security operations, the regulation of firearms and explosives, and the execution of judicial orders issued by federal courts. The organization’s work is aimed at safeguarding public safety and upholding the rule of law throughout Argentine territory.

Headquartered in Argentina, the AFP exercises nationwide jurisdiction and maintains a presence in all provinces through regional delegations and specialized brigades. While specific personnel numbers or budget figures are not disclosed in the available sources, the agency’s structure reflects its role as a central component of the federal security apparatus, reporting directly to the executive branch of government. Distinguishing attributes of the AFP include its focus on federal-level offenses, its integration of intelligence and investigative capabilities, and its responsibility for handling high‑profile cases that involve transnational criminal networks. The incident of August 12 2019, in which hackers exfiltrated approximately 700 GB of sensitive data including wiretaps, biometric records and personal information of officers, underscored both the agency’s handling of classified material and the vulnerabilities inherent in large‑scale data repositories. Structurally, the AFP remains a direct subordinate of the Ministry of Security, with no publicly indicated parent or subsidiary relationships beyond its internal directorates and operational units. This organizational placement enables it to coordinate closely with other federal security entities while maintaining a distinct focus on federal law enforcement duties.