Marches in Argentina demand food for community kitchens

Several marches were held this Tuesday in Argentina on a day of protest by social organizations over the delivery of food to the community kitchens they manage and which they claim was interrupted in December, when the government of Javier Milei initiated an audit.

The main gathering took place around noon in front of the presidential mansion in oliveson the northern outskirts of good airwhere hundreds of protesters marched for ask for more government help.

Police officers try to remove burning tires installed by members of social movements who were trying to march towards the Olivos Presidential Residence to protest against the reforms and cuts proposed by President Javier Milei in the most vulnerable sectors, in Olivos, Buenos Aires province, on 7 December May 2024. (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO / AFP) (LUIS ROBAYO/)

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A strong security operation, federal policethe infantry corps and gendarmerie, were installed around the residence for prevent the arrival of protesters and clear traffic.

Fire hydrant trucks and teams of motorized police officers also participated in the operation, deployed several blocks from the site, where President Javier Milei was not present, who arrived around noon from a tour of U.S.

“The operation is a shame because there are no murderers or criminals here, there are people here who are hungry, in need and who are doing a job claimand you have the right to do so“, the piquetero leader told reporters. Eduardo Belliboni.

At the same time, organizers announced 500 roadblocks (pickets) across the country, albeit outside the radius of the capital Argentina to avoid the “anti-picketing protocol”from the Ministry of Security.

The minister of Human capital, Sandra Pettovelloresponsible for the department that administers social assistance, was summoned by the court for detail the assistance provided since December to dining rooms popular in a country where half the population lives in poverty.

In February, the leader of Excluded Workers Movement (MTE) Juan Grabois criminally denounced Pettovello “for not arranging the delivery of food in dining rooms neighborhoods and communities across the republic Argentinathus violating norms that order guaranteeing food for those suffering in situations of extreme poverty”.

Pettovello signed food assistance agreements with evangelical churches and Caritas Argentinadependent on the Catholic Church.

It’s a week of great conflicts Argentinafollowing a partial transport strike on Monday and ahead of the planned general strike for on Thursday, the second call by the CGT union center since Milei took office in December.

“The strike has no motivation other than strictly political.“said the presidential spokesman on Tuesday, Manuel Adorni. “With all the damage and evil they did in the previous government, they (the unions) still don’t explain why they never said anything” so far, he added.

Argentina is experiencing a strong economic recession, with inflation approaching 290% in annual terms and a tax adjustment which allowed the first fiscal surplus since 2008 in the first quarter of the year, but at the cost of the closure of government agencies. statethousands of layoffs, reduction of subsidies, increase in tax rates and liquefaction of salaries and pensions.

Source: Elcomercio