In Buenos Aires, clashes erupted between police and football fans supporting pensioners during a protest against austerity measures. Riot police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets, resulting in injuries and arrests. The protests are a reaction to President Milei’s budget cuts and ongoing economic struggles for retirees, culminating in a call for solidarity from the football community.
Argentine police clashed with hundreds of football fans and anti-austerity demonstrators during a pensioners’ protest in Buenos Aires. Riot police deployed tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse stone-throwing protestors, resulting in over 20 injuries and more than 100 arrests. The violence marked one of the most severe demonstrations against President Javier Milei’s budget cuts, with demonstrators wearing football jerseys chanting, “Milei, garbage, you are the dictatorship!” as protests erupted near Congress and Plaza de Mayo.
Among the injured was photojournalist Pablo Grillo, who sustained serious injuries from a projectile while covering the event. His father, Fabian, indicated that his son’s life was in danger, blaming the government’s actions for the violence. The protest saw demonstrators, many waving national flags and images of the late football legend Diego Maradona, resisted a heavy police presence near Congress during its session.
The clashes lasted over two hours, with riot police clearing protesters creating barricades and throwing objects. Disturbingly, a video circulated showing police violence against an elderly woman who was injured during the protest. This protest continued the long-standing tradition of pensioners demonstrating every Wednesday, which usually garners fewer participants.
This week, prominent football clubs, including River Plate and Boca Juniors, joined in solidarity with pensioners, many of whom faced hostility during previous protests. Following the clashes, residents expressed their anger by banging pots and pans while blocking streets, intensifying their opposition to Milei and National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich.
Public sentiment in Argentina is fueled by the recent homicide trial of seven medical professionals in connection to Diego Maradona’s death in 2020. Demonstrators called for solidarity with retirees, citing a video of Maradona urging defense for them. Despite ongoing complaints, pensioners’ economic conditions worsened under Milei’s tenure, with many facing significant financial hardship. “We have to unite and take to the streets to defend our rights and our sovereignty,” stated march participant Patricia Mendia, aged 60. In contrast, Bullrich referred to the protestors as “hooligans” via social media.
Pensions have fallen drastically behind inflation, with nearly 60 percent of retirees receiving a mere $340 monthly. Last year, Milei vetoed a proposed pension increase, further aggravating the financial struggles of pensioners during volatile economic conditions.
The protests in Buenos Aires illustrate widespread discontent with President Javier Milei’s austerity measures and their severe impact on retirees. The interaction between police and demonstrators escalated into violence, highlighting the tensions surrounding economic hardships in Argentina. The involvement of football fans showcased a cross-sectional solidarity, underscoring the urgency for action to protect the rights and economic welfare of vulnerable populations in the country.
Original Source: www.kpvi.com
