Javier Milei vows to imprison those inciting violence after clashes during pensioners’ protests led to mass arrests. He celebrated police actions while facing criticism over the aggressive response. Amid party disagreements regarding the incident’s nature, Milei canceled an upcoming European trip amidst heightened tensions in Argentina.
President Javier Milei announced intentions to imprison those inciting violence following a protest by pensioners in Argentina, which escalated to clashes with police, resulting in 124 arrests and 45 injuries. Milei described aggressors as “sons of bitches” while highlighting police as “the good ones” during his speech at Expoagro in Buenos Aires. He reaffirmed his support for National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich amidst criticism for her handling of the situation, including aggressive police responses and her comments on injured demonstrators.
During the protest, initiated by pensioners and bolstered by football fans, protesters faced significant police force, including rubber bullets and tear gas, inciting some to retaliate with stones. Although most demonstrations were peaceful, accusations arose claiming “infiltrators” aimed to instigate violence. Bullrich’s ministry filed charges of sedition and other offenses against arrested demonstrators while challenging the competence of the presiding judge in the release of detained individuals.
The judge, Karina Andrade, defended her decision to release detainees, citing a lack of documentation regarding their arrests. Meanwhile, Bullrich alleged that participants were part of a destabilization effort against the government, framing the unrest as an attempted coup. However, within Milei’s party, Vice-President Victoria Villarruel condemned violence from both sides and emphasized the protests as an expression of democracy rather than an actual coup attempt.
Javier Milei has canceled his planned European trip and will only travel to Israel later this month, clarifying that the trip was postponed due to the current political situation. The Fundación Club de los Viernes, which was set to honor Milei in Spain, incorrectly claimed he has faced an “attempted coup d’etat” in recent days, highlighting the tense political atmosphere in Argentina.
Milei’s government is taking a firm stance against violence during protests, pledging imprisonment for those responsible and emphasizing the police’s role. Amidst internal party disagreements and criticism of his handling of security, the President has opted to scale back international travel amid rising tensions. The unfolding situation reflects deep divisions and ongoing instability in Argentine politics, with the potential for further protests as demonstrators voice their demands for improved pensions.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
