19/06/2026 09:19 - Actualidad
Calles de Buenos Aires con autos estacionados y señal de tráfico, ambiente urbano nocturno
If you've ever parked in Buenos Aires, you've likely encountered "trapitos" (literally "little rags") — informal parking attendants who claim to "watch" your car in exchange for payment. While this might sound harmless, in reality, these individuals often operate through intimidation and extortion, demanding money from drivers who have no choice but to pay if they want their vehicles to remain undamaged.
On June 18, 2026, the Buenos Aires City Legislature approved Law 6961, known as the "Ley Antitrapitos" (Anti-Street Extortion Law), with 36 votes in favor and 19 against. The legislation, championed by City Chief of Government Jorge Macri and legislator Pilar Ramírez, dramatically toughens penalties for these activities, treating them as criminal extortion rather than minor infractions.
Between May 2025 and May 2026, authorities recorded 13,149 contraventions related to these street extortion activities. City officials argued that the existing fine-based system was completely ineffective — offenders simply ignored monetary penalties or treated them as a cost of doing business.
"Trapitos" often operate in organized groups, claiming specific streets as their "territory." Drivers who refuse to pay face scratched paint, slashed tires, or broken windows. The practice has evolved from casual informal work to systematic extortion targeting ordinary citizens.
Police can now detain offenders on the spot. Judges can impose proximity restrictions, preventing offenders from returning to areas where they committed violations. Those who profit from organizing these schemes face the harshest penalties and lose access to social assistance programs for up to two years.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
