Milei Advocates Tough Stance on Rioters Post-Protests in Argentina
President Javier Milei has vowed to jail those inciting violence following a protest by pensioners that saw clashes with police, resulting in numerous injuries and arrests. He supports National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, who faces criticism over her response to the events. The government is taking serious legal measures against those detained, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining public order amid ongoing protests.
On Friday, President Javier Milei announced intentions to impose jail sentences on individuals who instigate street riots, following a protest by pensioners that resulted in police clashes, 124 arrests, and 45 injuries. Milei labeled rioters as “sons of bitches” during his address at the Expoagro event in Buenos Aires Province, asserting that his administration would uphold the defend the republic.
Milei expressed continued support for National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, present during his remarks. Bullrich has faced backlash from opposition parties regarding the actions of security forces and for her controversial claims about the protests. She has also condemned a judge who released over 90 of the arrested participants during the protests.
Among those injured was photographer Pablo Grillo, currently in critical condition after suffering a severe injury from police pepper spray. Bullrich drew criticism for labeling Grillo as a “Kirchnerite militant” in light of his political affiliations, raising concerns about bias against the injured individual.
The pensioners’ demonstration, endorsed by fans from approximately 30 football clubs and various political and social organizations, emphasizes the community’s demand for improved pensions. It was initially motivated by a prior incident where a retiree was targeted with tear gas while wearing club apparel.
As the protest escalated, police employed rubber bullets and tear gas against demonstrators, who responded with stone-throwing and property vandalism, though the overall majority protested peacefully. Some demonstrators allege infiltrators aimed to incite violence and disrupt the rally’s peaceful intent.
In a notable development, Bullrich’s ministry filed legal complaints against the detainees, accusing them of severe crimes, while also petitioning against the judge who released many of the protesters, citing procedural flaws in the arrest documentation.
On this matter, Judge Karina Andrade defended her decisions, asserting that her releases were due to procedural irregularities in the detentions. Despite this, she affirmed the investigation concerning those detained will proceed.
Bullrich suggested that the protest involved factions aiming to destabilize the government, invoking the language of attempted coups among Milei’s supporters, despite demonstrators’ lack of overt attempts to unseat the administration.
Within Milei’s own political party, La Libertad Avanza, tensions arose over the official response to the protests. Vice-President Victoria Villarruel condemned the violence from both sides, expressing empathy for the injured regardless of their affiliations and stressing that democracy does not equate to violence.
Additionally, President Milei will modify his upcoming travel plans, canceling a planned visit to Spain and opting for a trip to Israel instead, rescheduling his original departure date from March 20 to March 28. The Fundación Club de los Viernes, which invited him, acknowledged this decision on social media, incorrectly depicting recent events as an attempted coup d’état against Milei’s leadership.
In summary, President Javier Milei’s administration has taken a hard stance against rioting after a protest by pensioners ended in violence. Milei’s commitment to prosecuting those who instigate disorder reflects his viewpoint on maintaining order. Meanwhile, internal disagreements within La Libertad Avanza highlight growing tensions over how to address civil unrest. The continuation of investigations into the circumstances surrounding the protests remains a focal point of political discourse in Argentina.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
