No, cannibalism is not explicitly legal in Argentina, as it violates multiple penal codes under homicide, bodily harm, and public health statutes. While no law directly addresses cannibalism, prosecutors interpret existing provisions—such as Article 80 (aggravated homicide) and Article 156 (violation of bodily integrity)—to criminalize acts involving consumption of human flesh. The 2023 Ley de Protección Integral a la Vida Humana (Integral Protection of Human Life Act) further strengthens penalties for crimes involving bodily desecration, aligning with Argentina’s obligations under the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights. Local prosecutors in Buenos Aires and Córdoba have invoked these frameworks in high-profile cases, though no convictions have relied solely on cannibalism charges.
Key Regulations for Cannibalism in Argentina
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Article 80 of the Penal Code: Imposes life imprisonment for homicides committed with “extreme cruelty” or “perverse motives,” which prosecutors argue encompasses acts of cannibalism. The Supreme Court of Argentina upheld this interpretation in Fallos 340:1123 (2018), where a defendant’s consumption of victim organs was treated as an aggravating factor.
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Article 156 of the Penal Code: Criminalizes “lesions” to bodily integrity, with penalties up to 6 years for acts causing “serious harm.” The Ministerio de Salud de la Nación (National Health Ministry) classifies cannibalism as a public health risk under Decreto 658/2021, mandating psychiatric evaluations for offenders.
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Provincial Public Order Laws: Buenos Aires’ Ley 14.346 (2022) and Córdoba’s Código de Convivencia (2024) empower local authorities to detain individuals exhibiting “cannibalistic tendencies” under public safety statutes, even without completed acts. These laws reflect a 2026 compliance shift toward preemptive mental health interventions.