Argentine retirees clash with police in over pension cuts and healthcare: Video
Hundreds of Argentine retirees staged a protest outside the National Congress in Buenos Aires, demanding improved pensions and access to healthcare amid sweeping austerity measures introduced by President Javier Milei’s government.
The demonstration, organised by pensioners' groups, quickly turned tense as protesters attempted to breach police barricades at the intersection of Rivadavia and Entre Ríos. Clashes erupted, with scuffles leaving several people injured and some requiring medical attention after being exposed to tear gas.
Footage by Viory from the scene showed elderly protesters waving banners denouncing Milei and accusing the government of stripping away hard-earned rights. “They want to take it all, all the rights. The rights we've fought for so many years,” said one protester. “I'm 67 years old and I've been through it all, and we keep fighting in the streets just the same,” he added.
Tensions have continued to rise since Milei’s La Libertad Avanza coalition secured victory in last week’s elections. Many demonstrators voiced concern that the government’s response to social unrest had grown increasingly repressive. “Now that he won, it’s going to get worse. But why do they repress us?” asked another retiree at the scene.
The protest was the latest in a growing wave of opposition to the president’s economic policies, which include major public spending cuts aimed at controlling inflation and addressing Argentina’s long-standing debt crisis. However, critics argue these measures disproportionately impact the country’s most vulnerable populations, including pensioners.
Organisers have called for a nationwide mobilisation next week, hoping to rally more than 100,000 people across multiple cities to demand the restoration of pensions and essential services.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
