Street demonstrations are far from uncommon in Argentina, where the most varied political groups meet weekly in large cities. This Saturday (9), a national holiday for Independence Day, was no different — but the acts called against the government, which indicate an escalation of the crisis, had a different element.
The protests, in several cities, criticized the political and economic degradation of the country, amidst the fatigue with the disagreements between President Alberto Fernández and his vice-president and political godmother, Cristina Kirchner – the most recent development was the departure of the most of the cabinet, Martín Guzmán (Economy).
Until now, anti-government marches have been led only by the opposition. This Saturday, she was joined on the streets by groups linked to left-wing social movements and community leader Juan Grabois, whose main demand is a universal minimum wage for all Argentines.
Very popular, he has always been an important support for Cristina and the La Cámpora movement, the most radical wing of Peronism. But, in recent times, he has been demanding that the vice put pressure on the president to increase social spending for the poorest sectors.
In Buenos Aires, the police set up a structure — released in the late afternoon — to isolate the space that gives access to Plaza de Mayo, where left-wing protesters were concentrated. The acts summoned by the right embraced the Obelisk with a banner with the colors of Argentina and then began a walk towards the Casa Rosada.
“I already beat the pot in 2001, I was robbed at that time, now I see that everything is returning and it is not well,” said Julia, 72, without revealing her surname to the report. “I’m also against what they’re shouting over there,” she added, pointing to the barrier of police. “It’s ugly, it’s Argentines against Argentines.”
On the one hand, swearing came calling right-wing protesters privileged, “chetos” (a pejorative term for someone rich, such as a playboy) and “held by their parents.” On the other hand, the insults directed at leftist militants were often racist, along the lines of “go to work, bums” downwards.
There were also young people in black wearing flags of the libertarian Javier Milei and T-shirts with a symbol of the American extreme right, a snake stamped in yellow and the words “Don’t tread on me”.
At an increasing pace, the protests are taking place at a time when the Argentine economy is weakened, with inflation of almost 60% a year, and the parallel dollar, which governs the popular economy, shooting at more than twice the official rate.
Guzmán left the government because he found himself between two conflicting views regarding the management of his portfolio. Cristina, who paid for him at the beginning of her term, began to criticize him harshly after the agreement with the IMF (International Monetary Fund) to restructure the country’s US$ 44 billion debt with the entity.
Guzmán considered necessary an adjustment in the form of increases in the energy bill, which today has subsidies. Fernández believes in the need for a commitment to pay the debt, so that Argentina is not further removed from the international market, but he is opposed to maintaining the level of currency issuance carried out during the pandemic, so as not to fuel inflation.
Cristina, who when she was president disdained the rise in prices and placed emphasis on social spending, continues to defend that banner and that of forcibly withholding increases – something Guzmán considered inapplicable.
After a dinner last Sunday night (3), the first time they talked alone in the last seven months, the president and vice president reached a certain truce, hoping that the appointment of Silvina Batakis would calm the negative tide.
It didn’t. There were highs of the parallel dollar throughout the week, the markdown of prices was a constant and there was a shortage in markets and a lack of imported parts.
