Police Violence Spurs New Coalition in Argentina

Javier Milei came to power in Argentina a year ago promising a far-right libertarian agenda which would take a “chainsaw” to public spending. His government has enacted this agenda through brutal austerity measures, and has also advanced a highly repressive culture where there is little public space for dissent.

Pensioners, who survive on incomes far below the poverty line, are one (of many) groups suffering as a result of the government’s economic plans. After the government repeatedly refused to accommodate their requests for updated pension plans and access to essential medications, retirees began protesting weekly outside of the congress. They have been met with extreme force from the police and mass detentions without basis. At one protest, police members brutally beat a retiree wearing a soccer jersey. Rather than be subdued, participants revealed the violent repression through social media, galvanizing a wave of outrage. Now, each week the pensioners are joined by soccer fans from a variety of clubs, unified against austerity measures and extreme responses from the state.

The government’s attempts to repress the protests further backfired when Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge Garcia Cuerva publicly denounced Milei’s austerity policies during a religious ceremony where the leader was present. Garcia Cuerva specifically criticized how the pensioners have been treated by police, revealing the violence to a wider audience and engaging the religious pillar in efforts to combat repression.

Reducing Outrage: Milei's administration has sought to reduce outrage by delegitimizing and devaluing the protesters, and by introducing further repressive methods intending to intimidate those showing up each week to protest.

Rather than be subdued, participants revealed the violent repression through social media, galvanizing a wave of outrage. Now, each week the pensioners are joined by soccer fans from a variety of clubs, unified against austerity measures and extreme responses from the state.

The government’s attempts to repress the protests further backfired when Archbishop of Buenos Aires Jorge Garcia Cuerva publicly denounced Milei’s austerity policies during a religious ceremony where the leader was present. Garcia Cuerva specifically criticized how the pensioners have been treated by police, revealing the violence to a wider audience and engaging the religious pillar in efforts to combat repression.

The efforts to move the government are ongoing, though so far there appears to be little change in their policies.

Photo credit: RitaStardust, CC BY 4.0