Argentine Riot Police Use Water Cannons and Tear Gas to Disperse Protesters Outside Congress

Argentine riot police deployed water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters outside Congress on Wednesday, as tensions escalated ahead of a crucial vote on state overhaul and tax bills proposed by President Javier Milei. The confrontation marked a significant test of the libertarian leader’s governance and vision for change.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in downtown Buenos Aires as the Senate began debating the key legislation. The protesters urged lawmakers to reject Milei’s program of harsh austerity and economic deregulation. Initially, the atmosphere around Congress was festive, with protesters playing trumpets, dancing, and enjoying street barbecues. However, the mood quickly turned violent as crowds clashed with police armed with shields and batons.

Security forces, supported by armored vehicles equipped with water cannons, pushed back against protesters who were throwing flaming bottles and other objects. Despite the wintry weather, hundreds of police officers used water cannons and tear gas to control the crowds, who at one point trampled over a police barricade. The ensuing scuffles resulted in injuries to at least 20 officers, and authorities reported the arrest of 15 individuals.

Protesters also threw Molotov cocktails at bikes and set a car belonging to a local radio station on fire. Police used pepper spray to disperse a line of demonstrators, sending at least four opposition lawmakers to the hospital, according to the left-wing Peronist party, Unión por la Patria. Scenes of chaos unfolded in the streets surrounding the central square, with vehicles burning and clashes between anti-government protesters and police.

The presidency issued a statement condemning the protesters as “terrorists” who “tried to mount a coup d’état by attacking the normal functioning of the Argentine National Congress.” President Milei, speaking at a conference for a right-wing think tank at the Hilton Hotel in Buenos Aires, criticized the opposition. “The only thing the old guard knows how to do is put spokes in the wheel,” he said. “We are going to change Argentina, we are going to make it the most liberal country in the world.”

Why It Matters : The violence outside Congress underscores the deep divisions within Argentine society over Milei’s proposed reforms. The libertarian president’s agenda, which includes significant austerity measures and economic deregulation, has sparked widespread opposition. The outcome of the vote is crucial not only for Milei’s political future but also for Argentina’s economic stability. The country is grappling with its worst economic crisis in two decades, and Milei’s ability to pass these reforms is seen as a litmus test for his governance.

Inside Congress, the violence prompted a heated debate, with opposition senators attempting to pause the proceedings due to the clashes. The motion failed, and the debate continued. Milei, who rose to power on promises to resolve Argentina’s economic crisis, faces significant challenges. His political party, Freedom Advances, holds a tiny minority of seats in Congress, making it difficult to strike deals with the opposition.

The Senate is debating two major bills: a tax package that lowers the income tax threshold and a 238-article state reform bill. This reform bill, initially dubbed the “omnibus bill” for its extensive scope, has been pared down but still delegates broad legislative powers to the president in areas such as energy, pensions, and security. It also includes measures to incentivize investment, deregulate the economy, and reduce the deficit.

Opposition to the bills is strong, with Peronist lawmaker Juan Marino accusing the government of seeking to bankrupt national industries for the benefit of monopolies. Certain contentious issues, such as the privatization of Argentina’s national oil company, have been removed in hopes of reaching a compromise. However, many Argentines fear the loss of labor and pension rights if the reforms pass.

Protesters, including bankers, teachers, truckers, and other union workers, voiced their opposition by launching fireworks and chanting, “Our country is not for sale!” They held signs mocking Milei’s “anarcho-capitalist” agenda and criticized his drastic spending cuts. “How can a head of state hate the state?” read one banner.

After weeks of negotiations, Milei’s bills passed the lower house of Congress in late April. If the Senate approves the bills with modifications, the lower house will need to approve them again. Analysts note that foreign investors and the International Monetary Fund, to which Argentina owes $44 billion, are closely watching the vote to see if Milei can build consensus and deliver on his promises.

Key Takeaways

• Argentine riot police clashed with protesters outside Congress as lawmakers debated President Javier Milei’s reform bills.
• The violence highlights deep societal divisions over Milei’s proposed austerity measures and economic deregulation.
• The outcome of the vote is crucial for Argentina’s economic stability and Milei’s political future.
• Milei’s political party holds a minority in Congress, making it difficult to pass reforms without opposition support.
• Foreign investors and the International Monetary Fund are closely monitoring the situation to assess Milei’s ability to implement his agenda.

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