Overview

• The Mendoza Contravencional Court opened an ex officio investigation under Article 138 to identify the unnamed tourists and assess sanctions for unauthorized environmental degradation
• Vice-Governor Hebe Casado publicly condemned the vandalism and urged the offenders to remove the graffiti, warning that visitors who harm the landscape are not welcome
• Provincial Laws 6.045 and 5.961 and the Mendoza Contravencional Code allow fines of 5,000–50,000 fiscal units (ARS 2.1 million–21 million), up to 10 days of arrest and mandatory site restoration
• Judge Viviana Fernández has spearheaded evidence gathering for the case, which will move to the contravencional courts of Luján de Cuyo once the tourists are identified
• No formal criminal complaint has been filed, leaving the administrative investigation as Mendoza’s primary enforcement response to protect the hydroelectric and tourist landmark