The Argentine Government Militarizes Access to Congress Due to Pensioner Protests
Security forces in downtown Buenos Aires, March 19, 2025. X/ @ladiaria
March 19, 2025 Hour: 2:21 pm
Security Minister Bullrich threatened to crack down on those participating in the protests against President Milei.
On Wednesday morning, the administration of the far-right President Javier Milei ordered the militarization of the areas surrounding the Argentine Congress to prevent citizens from accessing the site as they march in support of retirees in the afternoon.
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About 2,000 security agents have been deployed at the entrances to Congress and train stations, following orders from Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, who threatened to crack down on those participating in the protests against Milei’s policies, which she described as “attacks against the Republic.”
The Argentine Workers’ Central Union (CTA), the Union of Workers of the Popular Economy (UTEP), and other Argentine labor unions, however, refused to be intimidated by the threats and announced their support for the retirees, who are demanding an increase in their meager pensions.
Wednesday’s march will include the presence of Beatriz Blanco, a retiree who became a public figure after being brutally beaten by the police on March 12, the same day police brutality left photographer Pablo Grillo fatally injured.
Today, thanks to a legal measure initiated by the Center for Legal and Social Studies and the Buenos Aires Press Union, the Federal Judiciary will be present during the retirees’ protest to monitor law enforcement and ensure compliance with anti-protest protocols.
Unlike last week’s march, thousands of Argentines have gathered not only to demand better living conditions for retirees but also to call for the resignation of Bullrich, a government official whose remarks justifying police brutality continue to spark widespread outrage.
Last week, the police arrested 114 citizens and injured 672 people during the retirees’ protest. Since then, the chant “Out with Bullrich!! Out with Bullrich!!” has become a rallying cry among Argentines, who recall that military dictators behaved similarly to Milei.
Displaying open contempt for citizens and intolerance, the far-right politician has publicly described the protesters as “the bad ones,” contrasting them with “the good ones”—the police, whom he calls “the blue ones.”
In response to this simplistic interpretation of widespread discontent in Argentina, the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) announced that it would call for a general strike before April 10.
Meanwhile, during Wednesday’s session, the Argentine Congress began debating Milei’s Emergency Decree to finalize an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Several lawmakers protested against the police operation deployed hours before the retirees’ demonstration.
“We cannot hold a session with the militarization of the National Congress… This is outrageous! Two thousand federal officers! Militarization! This is the authoritarianism of the government!” Leftist Front legislator Nicolas del Caño protested to the President of Congress, Martin Menem, a member of Milei’s Freedom Advances party.
“There is an exceptional situation outside. Without declaring a state of siege, this Congress is surrounded. Police and Gendarmerie forces are stopping people at the entrances to Buenos Aires,” said legislator Vanina Biasi, who also called for the suspension of the session until the police forces are withdrawn.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: Pagina 12 – teleSUR
