Argentina: Protest against Milei’s economic plan begins with isolated incidents

The protest march called this Wednesday by social organizations against the economic plan of the new president of Argentina, Javier Mileibegan with isolated clashes between protesters and riot police from the Federal Police who tried to force them to parade along the sidewalk to avoid, without success, traffic closures.

The first incidents between the troops of Gendarmerie and the protesters called by the Workers’ Center (PO) and other social and left-wing organizations took place after 4pm local time (7pm GMT) in the heart of the Argentine capital, where in the morning there was an atmosphere of calm and normality.

LOOK HERE: Marcha de Piqueteros LIVE: at least three protesters were arrested during the march against Milei in Buenos Aires

Several thousand people began to march from the corner of the North Diagonal It is Belgrano Avenue towards the emblematic may SquareWhere is it Pink House. The protesters marched peacefully, but did not respect the new security protocol established by the Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrichwhich prohibits the closure of streets during demonstrations and provides for severe sanctions against those who violate it.

Meanwhile, the president of Argentina, Javier Mileitraveled to the headquarters of Argentine Federal Policein good airtogether with several of his ministers to monitor the development of the march, which became the first test of strength between the new Government, which took office ten days ago, and social and left-wing organizations.

The Peronist organizations – the political force that has been in power for sixteen of the last twenty years – and their union – the powerful General Workers’ Center (CGT) – remained out of the call.

“We are marching peacefully. This is a military dictatorship“, declared to the press the leader of Polo Obrero, Eduardo Belliboniwho hours earlier was involved in a verbal confrontation with a journalist from a television channel who asked him about the reasons for the protest.

March organizers complained about police treatment after riot police pushed them with their shields to force them to march along the sidewalk. They also reported that troops from the Federal Police and the Gendarmerie intervened in the city of Buenos Aires, without – according to them – the local authorities having requested it.

The situation led to isolated races and falls, but ended up returning to normal minutes later. Local media reported the arrest of two protesters.

“Today marks 22 years of the popular rebellion that ended with the governments of (Fernando) de la Rúa (president of the Republic between 1999 and 2001) and (Domingo) Cavallo (minister of Economy in 2001), who carried out a major devaluation, a disaster for workers“, the former left-wing deputy told EFE. Nestor Pitrola.

“The Government of (Javier) Milei, an extreme right-wing libertarian fascist, debuted a few days ago with a monetary devaluation of 120% of the dollar (…), an increase in rates is coming, and the income of the working population, the salary, retirement and social plans, practically frozen”, denounced the former left-wing parliamentarian.

Pitrola stressed that “The most important thing about this Wednesday’s mobilization is defeating the Bullrich protocol”, in reference to the measures announced by the Minister of Security to prevent protests from leading to riots and traffic disruptions.

MORE INFORMATION: The Argentine Government will implement a new protocol for maintaining public order

At nine in the evening (00:00 GMT on Thursday), President Milei is expected to address the country on a national radio and television network to announce an extensive decree of necessity and urgency (DNU) to deregulate various sectors of the economy.

Wednesday’s protests are the first to take place in Argentina since Milei’s inauguration as Argentine president, on December 10th.

A few days ago, the Minister of Economy, Luis Caputoannounced a series of economic adjustment measures that were harshly criticized by the left and social organizations, who called on citizens to take to the streets to protest on the same day that marks a new anniversary of the violent protests that took place in 2001. in 39 deaths and the resignation of the then president, the radical Fernando da Rua.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.