Argentina’s security minister faces calls for resignation due to violent police response to a pension protest, highlighting growing tensions over austerity measures impacting retirees amidst escalating demands for support.
Argentina’s security minister is under pressure to resign following aggressive police actions against a pensioners’ protest that resulted in severe injuries, including a photographer left in critical condition. Over 1,000 riot police deployed tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to control the crowd, responding to seniors’ demands for better pensions and restoration of free medications affected by President Javier Milei’s austerity measures.
Protests intensified when football fans from major clubs like Boca Juniors and River Plate joined pensioners, culminating in a rally that featured demonstrators holding signs and expressing solidarity. Tensions escalated as police violently confronted participants, using heavy-handed tactics that included targeted assaults shown in alarming social media footage.
One significant victim was a freelance photographer, Pablo Grillo, who suffered grave injuries from a teargas canister and is now in an induced coma after emergency surgery. His father publicly called out the government’s responsibility for his son’s plight. The Argentinian Graphic Reporters Association (aRGra) has demanded the security minister’s resignation, citing the brutality suffered by journalists at the hands of law enforcement.
While some protests remained peaceful, incidents of violence were reported, including the setting of police vehicles and refuse ablaze. Independent human rights observers reported over 500 injuries and numerous arrests. The security minister alleged that organized football fans instigated the violence, a claim met with skepticism from opposition leaders condemning the government’s actions.
Opposition figures, including Buenos Aires province governor Axel Kicillof, criticized the government’s severe crackdown on demonstrators and accused it of inciting fear and division among citizens. Pensioners have reportedly been disproportionately affected by the administration’s policies, with many struggling to afford basic necessities under increasing economic strain.
Attendees like 73-year-old Liliana Morono expressed frustration over the administration’s failure to support vulnerable populations, lamenting cuts to pensions and medications. Presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni, however, dismissed the protest as politically motivated, while the security minister insisted on the need for law enforcement to maintain order in the face of civil unrest.
The situation in Argentina highlights the deepening tension between the government and vulnerable populations, notably pensioners facing financial hardship under current austerity policies. Public outcry has erupted, demanding accountability for violence against peaceful protesters, with calls for the resignation of high-ranking officials. As economic conditions deteriorate, discontent grows, raising questions about the government’s approach to social welfare and public safety.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
