Argentina Evangelicals Unite Against Punitive Youth Crime Bill as Congress Lowers Criminal Age to 14

Argentina's Evangelical Alliance Demands Comprehensive Reform as Congress Debates Lowering Criminal Age to 14

Argentina's largest evangelical body, the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic (ACIERA), released a public statement on February 13, 2026, calling for sweeping reforms to the country's juvenile criminal justice system.

The statement came as Argentina's Congress debates a controversial bill to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 14. The Chamber of Deputies already approved the measure with 149 votes in favor and 100 against, and it now awaits consideration by the Senate.

ACIERA warned that criminal penalties alone cannot solve the problem of juvenile delinquency. The organization declared the current legislation "has become obsolete" and urged lawmakers to pair any new regulations with robust prevention, reintegration, and support programs.

Adolescents should not be sent to regular prisons but to specialized institutions with interdisciplinary teams.

ACIERA public statement

The evangelical alliance specifically called for government funding for new infrastructure, trained professionals, and comprehensive support systems. ACIERA also urged legislators to address root causes of youth crime, including what it described as "social orphanhood," early substance abuse, and the breakdown of family structures.

Among its key recommendations, ACIERA pushed for national substance abuse prevention plans, strengthened school based preventive education, and mandatory coordination among the justice system, schools, families, and churches.

President Javier Milei's government has championed the bill as part of its broader security agenda. A recent survey found that over 73 percent of Argentines support lowering the age of criminal responsibility. Human rights organizations, however, have warned against criminalizing adolescence without addressing deeper social issues.

The Catholic Church has also rejected the Milei administration's approach, aligning with ACIERA's call for a more comprehensive strategy beyond purely punitive measures.

Evangelical Leaders Push Back on Punitive Only Approach to Youth Crime in Argentina

ACIERA emphasized the vital pastoral role that churches play in working with families and young people throughout recovery processes. The organization positioned itself as a key partner in any reform effort, offering its extensive network of congregations as a resource for rehabilitation and community support.

The debate has united Argentina's Catholic and evangelical communities in a rare show of interdenominational agreement, with both calling for justice that prioritizes restoration over punishment.

The Crusader's Opinion

When the state fails its children, the Church must not remain silent. ACIERA is absolutely right to demand more than just locking up teenagers. Throwing 14 year olds into the prison system without addressing broken families, rampant drug abuse, and a collapsing social fabric is not justice. It is abandonment with extra steps. The fact that both Catholic and evangelical leaders in Argentina are standing together on this issue should tell you everything. When the Body of Christ speaks with one voice, the world had better listen. Argentina's youth deserve real solutions, not political theatre.

Take Action

• Pray for Argentina's lawmakers to pursue justice that restores rather than merely punishes young people.
• Learn more about ACIERA's work and support evangelical ministries in Latin America through World Evangelical Alliance.
• Support youth rehabilitation and family restoration programs through The Shepherd's Shield.
• Contact your own representatives about juvenile justice reform in your country and advocate for faith based rehabilitation programs.
• Support organizations working with at risk youth in Latin America through Compassion International.