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Protests against Javier Milei
Argentinian protests against reforms by Javier Milei From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 2024 Argentina protests were a series of protests and riots in Argentina, lasting from January to June, in response to reforms introduced by president Javier Milei.
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Milei proposed reducing government ministries and addressing economic challenges through spending cuts and fiscal reforms. He criticized previous administrations for excessive spending.[1] Protesters, on the other hand, criticized Milei's reforms and blamed the government for causing inflation and poverty,[2] and for weakening Argentina's democracy.[3]
The reforms included tax breaks for investors and the firing of thousands of state employees. The protesters called these reforms "radical overhaul".[4]
On 12 June 2024, Argentina's Senate passed Milei's reforms by a majority vote of 37–36. The package included "measures on privatization and tax breaks for investors".[5] Most of the protests took place in Buenos Aires, the capital and the most populous city in Argentina. Riot police attempted to disperse the protesters and arrested 18 demonstrators. A car belonging to the radio station Cadena 3 was set on fire.[6]
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Background
As inflation rose above 100% in May 2023,[7] Milei's position in the polls rose, and in the August 2023 primary elections, which was seen as an indication of how citizens were likely to vote in the October 2023 general election, he emerged as the leading candidate.[8]
Milei was inaugurated president on 10 December 2023. In addition to a lack of support in Congress,[9] Milei openly discussed his wide-ranging reforms, causing opposition among trade unions and others.[who?][10]
According to The Washington Post, Milei's reform package has a diverse array of measures:
- state of emergency, which grants the president new powers in matters of energy, pensions, security, taxation and other sectors until 2027.
- privatization of several state companies
- lucrative tax breaks and other perks to foreign companies investing $200 million or more
- expanding trial periods
- tax amnesty
The reform package suffered a large amount of criticism from Kirchnerism, non-Kirchnerist Peronism, a small traditional left-wing force, and the Radical Civic Union.[11][12]
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Protests
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January
The reform package was implemented on 24 January. A general strike was planned throughout Argentina in response to these changes. The US embassy in Argentina warned US tourists, telling them to "avoid areas of demonstrations".[13] Tens of thousands took to the streets to protest Milei's reforms.[14] The protestors were heading to the CGT, the country's main trade union. "We come to defend 40 years of democracy, defend the homeland", CGT leader Hector Daer told the crowd.[14] The protest had 40,000 participants.[15][failed verification]
On 31 January, police dispersed anti-government protests, injuring 25 journalists and arresting six.[16]
February
On 1 February, four women were arrested for peacefully protesting in front of Congress Plaza.[17]
On 3 February, Argentine human rights groups accused the Argentine Federal Police of using chemical agents and rubber bullets against 35 journalists and lawyers.[18]
On 8 February, Argentinian activists launched a protest along Pueyrredón Bridge.[19]
On 23 February, thousands protested across Argentina to demand food aid for the poor as inflation soared.[20]
March
On 18 March, Argentina's social movements blocked over 500 roads countrywide. Several people suffered light injuries and a violent police crackdown was reported in Mendoza.[21]
On 19 March, two officers and a journalist were injured in anti-government riots.[22]
April
On 10 April, 11 protestors were arrested and at least half a dozen injured as police cracked down on protesters in Buenos Aires.[23]
On 11 April, Argentina police clashed with anti-government protesters over government spending cuts, injuring at least six.[24]
On 23 April, universities in Argentina defied Milei's spending cuts with a massive march. According to reports from social organisations, the protest was dispersed, with arrests reported.[25]
On 26 April, massive protests occurred across Argentina, against higher education budget cuts.[26]
May
On 7 May, 11 were arrested in a protest to demand food aid. The rally took place in front of the presidential residence in Olivos.[27]
On 9 May, Argentina's biggest trade unions announced a 24-hour strike,[28] bringing the nation to a standstill as banks, businesses, and state agencies closed in protest.[29]
On 26 May, Argentina's police violently dispersed a peaceful anti-government protest in Córdoba. Several people were arrested and injured.[30]
On 30 May, Argentina trains slowed down in a protest.[31]
June
On 12 June, Argentina's Senate passed Milei's reforms. In response, anti-government protestors clashed with Argentinian police forces in Buenos Aires[6] and other cities across Argentina.[32] Security forces fired tear gas and water cannons at rioting demonstrators outside National Congress of Argentina. At least five people were injured and were treated by medical staff.[33] Protesters threw stones and Molotov cocktails outside Congress.[34] The Buenos Aires press union reported that at least a dozen journalists were hit by rubber bullets.[35] Authorities reported at least 20 police officers injured.[36] Security forces later said that they arrested 15 people.[37]
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Responses
- IACHR said "approximately 285 individuals had been injured as a result of the actions of law enforcement agencies".[38][39]
- Human Rights Law Centre said that "physical injuries [were] caused by the excessive and unjustified use of force" at the protests.[40]
- Milei government officials accused violent demonstrators of seeking to overthrow the government in a "modern coup d'état".[41]
Decline
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After taking office in December 2023, Patricia Bullrich immediately issued a protocol to deal with demonstrations and roadblocks made by piqueteros. The Workers' Party made an habeas corpus request to prevent the protocol from coming into force, which judge Gustavo Pierretti rejected. Several groups of Piqueteros called for a massive demonstration on 20 December, a week after the inauguration of Javier Milei. The government announced that demonstrators who committed crimes during demonstrations, such as roadblocks or vandalism, would lose their welfare payments, and provided a phone number to denounce piquetero leaders who would be coercing people to take part in such demonstrations. The demonstration had very little attendance, and the phone calls were summarized into 660 complaints.[42] The policies were kept for all later protests. The welfare aid that was outsourced to piquetero organizations returned to the direct state control, and social leaders that worked at the ministry of Social Development, despite the conflict of interest, were fired. Several audits revealed that some social organizations, which were in charge of overseeing outsourced welfare aid, allocated only a fraction of it for its intended purpose. All of this decreased the power of piqueteros, and protests and demonstrations rapidly decreased in size.[43]
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References
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