“Down with Milei’s austerity program”, “Oppression is not a response to hunger and poverty”… Under the banners of various social, political and trade union organizations, thousands of people marched in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, December 20th. Ten days after ultra-liberal President Javier Milei took office, the meeting served as a test. It comes at a time when the “liberal shock” promised by Javier Milei is arriving, through an avalanche of measures but also through a tightening of security measures.
The government staged this important day. As protesters gathered in the center of the Argentine capital, Javier Milei went to the federal police headquarters to view live images of the city's streets. A video was immediately broadcast in which the head of state appeared lost in thought. He was accompanied in particular by Karina Milei, his sister and Secretary General of the Presidency, and Patricia Bullrich, Minister of Security. There was a police presence on the streets that was disproportionate to the number of demonstrators. According to the newspaper Clarin, around 5,000 police and gendarmes ensured order.
Allowances suspended
At the end of the day, Patricia Bullrich welcomed the “completely reduced number” of demonstrators. The Partido Obrero (the “Workers' Party,” which called for demonstrations) reported police violence on part of the route. The party believes that this is a “repression” that has not occurred in the capital for several years.
On December 14, Patricia Bullrich announced a series of anti-demonstration measures, particularly targeting road closures. Picketing is a common form of social protest in Argentina. “It is time to put an end to this method, which only leads to complete disorder on the roads,” said the security minister. Police and gendarmes are now being asked to “intervene” against the pickets “with force (…) proportional to the resistance”. Sanctions have been announced against adults who take part in protests with children. In addition, the organizers must cover the costs of the security system used during the events.
These deterrent measures go even further. On Monday, Sandra Pettovello, Minister of Human Capital (including Labor, Social Affairs and Education), warned that protesters who cut a road or path will have their social benefits suspended. These measures target Argentinians who are unemployed or in precarious employment, who make up 40% of the population living in poverty.
You still have 55% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.