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Ben Keith and Rhys Davies addressed the Bar Association of Buenos Aires on Interpol operations, Red Notices, and transnational repression during the seminar Transnational Organised Crime: Challenges and Answers from International Criminal Law on 2 December 2025.
Ben Keith and Rhys Davies spoke today at the Bar Association of Buenos Aires on Interpol operations, transnational crime, and transnational repression as part of the ongoing seminar on Transnational Organised Crime: Challenges and Answers from International Criminal Law.
Their session looked at how Interpol’s Red Notice system works in practice, the ways it can be exploited for political purposes, and the mechanisms available to challenge abusive notices. The discussion covered their work representing clients facing politically motivated Red Notices and challenging transnational repression across multiple jurisdictions.
The timing was particularly relevant. The past year has seen substantial growth in Interpol’s engagement across South America. Police chiefs from across the region signed the Santiago declaration, committing to greater use of Interpol systems. High-level meetings in Brasilia have addressed transnational organised crime, and Brazilian President Lula’s visit to Interpol headquarters in Lyon led to the launch of a new regional task force.
This increased cooperation brings both opportunities and risks. Greater international coordination can strengthen efforts against serious transnational crime, but it also increases the potential for misuse of Interpol mechanisms by authoritarian regimes pursuing political opponents or silencing dissent across borders.
Ben and Rhys discussed the safeguards that exist within Interpol’s framework—including the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF)—and the role of judicial review in Paris under Article 3 of Interpol’s constitution. They also covered the practical challenges clients face when subject to Red Notices, from travel restrictions to reputational damage, and the strategies available to secure the deletion of abusive notices.
The session generated substantial discussion from attendees, reflecting the growing importance of these issues for legal professionals working across Latin America. Questions ranged from technical aspects of the CCF deletion process to broader questions about Interpol’s governance and the balance between international cooperation and protection of individual rights.
Yesterday, Cristian González Ruiz spoke on representing clients in transnational criminal litigation, whilst Javier Ruiz delivered a session on the International Criminal Court. The conference continues tomorrow with further discussions on corruption, money laundering, and international cooperation in criminal matters.
Hosted by Bases Republicanas and supported by the International Criminal Court, the seminar has provided a forum for discussing how international law enforcement cooperation can be strengthened whilst preventing abuse of systems designed to facilitate justice across borders.
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Image: Unsplash
The upcoming Transnational Organized Crime and International Criminal Law Seminar in Buenos Aires (1–3 December 2025) will address the rising misuse of Interpol Red Notices across Central and South America.
Interpol’s focus on South America has never been stronger. Over the past year, the region has seen a dramatic increase in international law enforcement cooperation – reflected in major meetings, new task forces, and a surge in Notices.
El Salvador maintains more than 800 active Red Notices – an unprecedented use of Interpol’s system as an extension of its domestic state of emergency.
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