(Photo courtesy of Anadolu)
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentine authorities arrested a 49-year-old man accused of making death threats against Pope Leo XIV shortly before the pontiff arrived in the country on Sunday, November 8.
The State Intelligence Secretariat (SIDE) said the suspect was apprehended less than 24 hours after authorities received intelligence about the alleged threats.
The operation was conducted by the Argentine Federal Police under the orders of Judge Adrian Gonzalez Charvay of the Federal Court in Campana.
The investigation began Friday afternoon after the Federal Police’s Counter-Terrorism Investigation Unit received an alert about a threatening telephone call targeting the pope.
Cybersecurity and field intelligence personnel subsequently traced the alleged threat to a residence associated with the suspect.
During the raid, officers arrested the man and confiscated three mobile phones, including a device believed to have been used to make the threatening call.
Police also seized a drone, which remains under examination to determine its operational capabilities and whether it was connected to the alleged threat.
The suspect was provisionally charged with making anonymous threats and public intimidation with terrorist intent.
Authorities have not disclosed his identity or released further details about the alleged threat.
The arrest came amid heightened security preparations for Leo’s visit, which marks the first papal trip to Argentina in 39 years.
The pontiff arrived Sunday after visiting Montevideo, Uruguay, as part of his South American tour.
He is scheduled to remain in Argentina until November 11 before departing from Ezeiza International Airport for Lima, Peru.
President Javier Milei declared the papal visit a matter of national interest, with localized holidays established to accommodate large public gatherings and official activities.
Argentine authorities have intensified security measures throughout the visit to ensure the safety of the pope and those attending public events.
The investigation into the alleged threats remains ongoing.
