Argentine Police Repress Weekly Retiree Protests: Arrests and Pepper Spray Are Deployed Against Milei Government Critics

This protest occurred more than a month after the violent crackdown on retirees and the general public, an incident that left photographer Pablo Grillo seriously injured.Photo:Tiempo Argentino.

April 23, 2025 Hour: 10:14 pm

Buenos Aires, April 23, 2025 , Riot police fired pepper spray and detained demonstrators during Argentina’s weekly retiree protest on Wednesday, continuing a pattern of repression that has drawn international condemnation since journalist Pablo Grillo was critically injured by a tear gas canister in March.

Systematic Crackdown on Elderly Demonstrators

Protesters demanding pension increases faced violent dispersal near Congress, where officers arrested Mariano Lambertoti, a 40-year-old who shouted, “I’m here to support retirees!” as police dragged him away. The scene echoed March’s crackdown, which left over 600 injured and 114 arbitrarily detained, according to human rights monitors.

En un nuevo miércoles los jubilados salieron a reclamar por el feroz ajuste de Milei 🔴

👉 A días de la muerte del papa Francisco, estuvo presente la imagen del Sumo Pontífice en la marcha @kalofotograma 📸 pic.twitter.com/BrLglK6kb2
— El Destape (@eldestapeweb) April 23, 2025

The text reads:On another Wednesday, retirees took to the streets to protest Milei’s brutal austerity measures .Just days after the death of Pope Francis, the image of the Supreme Pontiff was present at the march.

CONADU teachers’ unions and social movements bolstered the retirees’ ranks, decrying Milei’s cuts to healthcare and pensions. “They want us to choose between medicine and food,” said Liliana, a 68-year-old holding a sign reading “Basta de Genocidio Silencioso”.

Retirees sought refuge in the Metropolitan Cathedral, invoking Pope Francis’ past criticism of state violence. “We ask the Church to stand with the poor, not the powerful,” said Héctor, a protester surviving on $300 monthly.