Argentina faces first general strike since 2019
Argentina lives its life this Wednesday First general strike after 2019A mobilization that comes as a protest against the reforms of the ultra-liberal government of Xavier Miley.
The strike, called by the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) and supported by political parties and social and human rights organizations, began. at 12:00 noon (4:00 pm Spanish Peninsular Time) and end at midnight (Thursday at 04:00 Peninsular Time).
He Buenos Aires public transportation operates until 7:00 pm.who gives one Normal situation is visible on the roads of the capital. However, thousands of people have gathered around Congress Square since morning.Center of mobilization.
He The cultural sector has largely ground to a halt, On Corrientes Avenue – one of the most symbolic points of the outstanding cultural life of Buenos Aires -, The curtains are down in most bookstoresThe The neon lights of the theaters were turned off. And this Crowd activity is less than usual,
The Argentine Chamber of Independent Bookstores (CALI) has called on businesses across the country to join the strike and protest against the government, which is planning to repeal the book law and reduce funding to the National Commission of Popular Libraries (CONBIP). Has the intention. Culture, of which the world of cinema is at the forefront, has been one of the key areas of cacerolada against the government in recent weeks,
The strike has reached Buenos Aires and even beyond Argentina’s borders. Montevideo, Madrid, Rome are some examples where hundreds of Argentines and foreigners have demonstrated in front of the Argentine Embassy in a show of solidarity.
A group of protesters show their banners in front of the Argentine Embassy in Rome EFE/Miguel Salvatierra
Hector Derr, General Secretary of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT), said that Unions and social organizations will continue to fight in Argentina until ultraliberal Javier Miley’s reformist initiative fails,
“The country is not for sale”Derr warned during a speech at Congress Plaza: “We are not going to take even a step back.”,
The country’s Economy Minister, Luis Caputo, has responded by saying that if the measures proposed by the executive are rejected by the South American country’s legislators, economic allocations to the provinces will be cut.
,This is not a threat, it is an affirmation that we are going to follow the mandate that the majority of Argentines have given us to balance the fiscal accounts to end decades of inflation and economic crisis.” Caputo said in a message published on his official X profile.
a lot of criticism of the government
Miley executive has already declared this half day as a general strike “A big nonsense, a complicity and a waste of money against many Argentines”,
,This is contrary to what the majority of people want: to live in peace in a country where things are starting to go well.“Understanding that this is an extremely complex moment,” presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni said at his daily press conference from the Casa Rosada (seat of government).
The spokesperson alleged Organizer of “an attempt to complicate life for the rest of Argentina”, “They are still a minority group”Adorni has announced.
March protests against orders of necessity and urgency
focuses on opposition Order of necessity and urgency (DNU), enacted on December 29 to regulate the economy and still under judicial protection on several points, and the bill containing the basis and starting point for Argentina’s independence, is still in the legislative process.
better known as ‘universal law’The said project seeks to give legislative powers to the executive for one year, with an extension of two more years, on the basis of public emergency due to the current socio-economic condition of the country.
To avoid potential confrontation due to anti-picketing protocols, union leaders have cordoned off roads used during mobilization with authorities, as well as pre-established circulation routes for emergency vehicles.
Justice asks security to refrain from “filming and searching”
The Argentine judge has urged the Security Ministry this Tuesday To “refrain” from filming or searching without a court order. During the general strike.
“Encouraging Ministry of National Security officials to refrain from issuing orders to security forces, including videotaping and/or capturing people on public streets on Wednesday, January 24, to identify and/or detain them without taking any action.” Including stopping. Prior court order,” federal Judge Ernesto Kreplak said in a judicial motion.
The magistrate has given birth to one habeas corpus Presented by a group of militants who claim to have been “victims of filming and searches” without court order during the mobilizations of 20 and 23 December.
The measure emphasizes cases of protesters “in public transport or at the entrance to train units”.
First general strike after Macri government
The government of Peronist Alberto Fernández (2019–2023) did not experience any general strikes of the CGT. The last one, in fact, is dated May 29, 2019 and was the fifth against the executive of the center-right Mauricio Macri (2015-2019).
government, which Government employees going on strike will have their salary deducted for that day.has opened a telephone number, 134, to receive complaints from those who feel threats or pressure to participate in the strike.
According to the executive, the line has received more than 3,000 calls with data that will allow the complaint to be processed before the justice.