Buenos Aires, Argentina – Calls for the resignation of Argentina’s hardline security minister have intensified after a violent police response to a protest resulted in a photographer being left in a coma and scores of other individuals sustaining injuries. Over 1,000 riot police resorted to using teargas, rubber bullets, and water cannon to disperse pensioners protesting in front of Congress for increased pensions and the restoration of free medications affected by President Javier Milei’s austerity measures. The demonstration swelled in numbers this week as supporters from major football clubs joined the retirees in their rally.
Elderly protesters, armed with walking sticks and signs pleading “Don’t hit us, we are your parents” and “Help me fight – you’ll be the next elderly person,” were met with a crackdown from columns of riot police armed with teargas, water cannon, and rubber bullets. Several disturbing videos circulated on social media showing police violence towards elderly individuals, with one woman being struck and another man wearing a football shirt being beaten by officers. A freelance photographer and activist was critically injured after being hit in the head with a teargas canister, leading to a skull fracture and loss of brain mass. The photographer remains in a coma following emergency surgery.
The photographer’s family blamed President Milei and Security Minister Patricia Bullrich for the violence, calling for Bullrich’s resignation. The Argentinian Graphic Reporters Association also demanded Bullrich’s removal from office, holding the president morally accountable for the actions of his minister. Following the protest, more than 100 people were detained, with reports of over 500 individuals sustaining injuries during the clashes. Opposition leaders condemned the government’s heavy-handed response to the protest, labeling it as “ferocious, illegal, and premeditated.”
Retirees in Argentina have been greatly impacted under Milei’s tenure, with pension increases failing to keep up with inflation and free medications being cut. Approximately 60% of retirees receive only the minimum pension payment each month, which is around $340. The government’s changes to retirement access have left many concerned about their financial stability. A 73-year-old pensioner expressed frustration at the government’s handling of pension issues, criticizing Milei for causing division and strife in the country. Despite government officials dismissing the protest as politically motivated, the pensioners remain adamant about their demands for better living conditions.
The unrest in Buenos Aires highlights the growing dissatisfaction among pensioners and their supporters towards the government’s handling of social welfare issues. Calls for Minister Bullrich’s resignation continue to gain momentum as the public demands accountability for the violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators. As the photographer continues to fight for his life, the government faces increasing scrutiny over its treatment of vulnerable populations.