Brutal Police Repression of Pensioners’ Protest in Buenos Aires

On March 12, police violently suppressed a protest by pensioners in Buenos Aires against benefit cuts, leading to numerous injuries and arrests. This repression has been condemned as an assault on democracy, with implications for press freedom and social rights. Protests are expected to continue, focusing public outrage against President Javier Milei’s austerity measures and growing authoritarianism.

On March 12, federal and municipal police in Buenos Aires violently assaulted thousands of pensioners, workers, and soccer fans who were protesting against benefit cuts in Congress Plaza. This brutal repression, ordered by President Javier Milei’s administration, was one of the worst since the significant protests in December 2001 that led to the resignation of then-President Fernando de la Rúa during a financial crisis.

The protest was part of ongoing weekly rallies organized by retirees demanding the restoration of public pensions and medical benefits, as well as measures to counter inflation. These demonstrations, which have grown in size, saw Buenos Aires transit workers joining the retirees to amplify their calls for action against the austerity policies of the far-right Milei administration.

Evidence suggests that the Milei administration provoked the violence to justify escalating attacks on freedom of speech and democratic rights. Security Minister Patricia Bullrich deployed over 1,000 police officers to suppress the demonstration, resulting in a fierce confrontation involving rubber bullets, tear gas, and pepper spray.

Reports from media outlets like Buenos Aires’ Channel 5 revealed provocative actions by the police, including a police provocateur who was seen planting a firearm amidst the protesters. Consequently, the repression led to 672 injuries and 114 arrests, with detainees released hours later but still facing charges.

One of the severely injured individuals, 87-year-old pensioner Beatriz Blanco, was violently struck by police, leading to significant public outrage. Press photographer Pablo Grillo was critically injured by a tear gas grenade, prompting discussions about police targeting of the press during protests.

Alejandra Bartoliche, vice president of the Graphic Reporters Association (aRGra), emphasized the ongoing persecution faced by journalists since Milei took office, highlighting the implications for press freedom. She recalled the tragic precedent of Carlos Fuentealba, who was killed by police during a protest in 2007, noting that the weapon used against Grillo had previously been banned.

In 2024, Bullrich rescinded the ban on using lethal weapons against protests, re-establishing a repressive framework akin to the Cold War-era Security Doctrine, which permits extreme measures against dissent. Following these events, protests in solidarity with Grillo and the retirees erupted in Uruguay, and local press photographers staged actions in Buenos Aires demanding accountability from the government.

Anticipating larger protests on March 19, the Milei administration has indicated further repressive tactics will be employed, including physical barriers around government buildings. Milei and Bullrich have asserted their commitment to handling protests with severe measures while dismissing the protesters’ grievances, illustrating their authoritarian stance amid rising public discontent.

President Milei’s controversial remarks denouncing retirees and glorifying police actions highlight his administration’s alignment with oppressive security measures and its relationship with global elites, reinforcing concerns about the establishment of a police state in Argentina amid widespread protests against austere measures affecting the most vulnerable groups within society.

In summary, the violent repression of pensioners and their supporters in Buenos Aires underscores the severity of state responses to dissent against the austerity measures instituted by President Javier Milei’s administration. The ongoing protests highlight the critical issues surrounding pension cuts, health benefits, and rising living costs in Argentina. There are increasing calls for accountability and respect for democratic rights among citizens, amid fears of escalating authoritarianism and state repression against those advocating for social justice.

Original Source: www.wsws.org