Clashes Erupt in Buenos Aires as Protests Against Pension Cuts Intensify
Protests in Buenos Aires resulted in injuries and over 100 arrests due to clashes between football fans, retirees, and police. Demonstrators opposed pension cuts enacted by President Javier Milei. Riot police employed tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds, leading to significant unrest and injuries. Meanwhile, the economic strain on retirees continues amidst protests and ongoing austerity measures.
On a recent Wednesday, Buenos Aires witnessed a tumultuous protest where at least 15 individuals sustained injuries and over 100 were arrested. These protests comprised both football fans and retirees expressing their discontent towards pension cuts enacted by President Javier Milei’s administration. Riot police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse demonstrators who were reportedly throwing stones in retaliation to the government’s policies.
Reports indicate that injured individuals included both police officers and protesters. Among those hurt was a police officer shot during the confrontation and a protester struck by a tear gas canister. Weekly protests by retirees have emerged due to significant reductions in their pensions since President Milei’s election toward the end of 2023. The demonstration grew as football fans joined forces with retirees, further fueled by these pension grievances.
Al Jazeera’s Daniel Schweimler highlighted that the protests were intensified by footage showing an elderly man in a football jersey being assaulted by police. Jose, a participating retiree, emphasized the dire situation, stating that many retirees are not only facing reduced pensions but also struggling to access essential medicines. Additionally, a recent resolution from the Ministry of Security exacerbated tensions by barring individuals engaging in disruptive acts from entering soccer stadiums.
Protestors vocally opposed President Milei, chanting slogans equating his governance to the repressive military dictatorship between 1976 and 1983 during clashes that occurred near the Congress building and the iconic Plaza de Mayo. Notably, photojournalist Pablo Grillo’s serious injury from a projectile drew considerable attention, with his family expressing profound concern over his condition.
The public response was met with substantial police presence, prompting confrontations that resulted in the use of stun grenades, firecrackers, and stones. Reports also circulated of increasingly violent incidents, including a police officer assaulting an elderly woman, which sparked outrage across social media platforms. Amid these protests, Argentine citizens were further stirred by memories surrounding the trial of medical staff connected to the late football legend Diego Maradona’s death in 2020.
Under the current fiscal austerity measures, retirees have faced severe financial strain, with many earning minimum pensions significantly below rising inflation rates. Nearly 60 percent of these individuals receive the equivalent of around $340 per month, an insufficient amount given the economic challenges they face. Last year, President Milei vetoed a proposal to increase pensions, exacerbating the financial hardships for the elderly population.
In conclusion, the protests in Buenos Aires marked a critical moment of unrest in response to President Javier Milei’s economic policies, particularly concerning pension reductions. The combined frustration of retirees and football fans underscores the need for governmental attention to the hardships faced by vulnerable populations. The reactions from law enforcement and the escalating violence reflect deep societal tensions surrounding economic inequalities in Argentina.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
