Milei’s visit to Mendoza sparks clashes and exposes Argentina’s deep divisions: Video
Tensions erupted in Mendoza on Thursday as demonstrators clashed with supporters of Argentine President Javier Milei during a campaign event attended by the president and local governor Alfredo Cornejo.
Footage from the scene shows protesters gathered in the city centre, chanting against government policies while police struggled to maintain order. The demonstrations reflected growing discontent with Milei’s austerity measures, which have led to sharp cuts in education and healthcare funding since he took office in December 2023.
“We are here repudiating the anti-health and anti-education policies of these disastrous governments of Milei and Cornejo,” said protester Celia, one of many who took to the streets in Mendoza to voice frustration over the government’s economic agenda.
But amid the tension, others expressed strong support for the president’s reforms. “Tired of all the people who have received things from above without working, and tired of the country we have, of how our children have been indoctrinated,” said Meliza Quiroga, a Milei supporter. “I think Milei is doing very well; that’s why I come to support him. We need more people in Congress who back his decisions.”
Both Celia and Meliza spoke to Viory, highlighting the stark divide that continues to define Argentina’s political landscape. While opponents denounce Milei’s cuts as destructive, his supporters see them as long-overdue corrections to years of mismanagement.
The president’s visit also included private meetings with business leaders and Governor Cornejo, who avoided commenting on the unrest. The clashes in Mendoza came just a day after similar incidents in Lomas de Zamora, where Milei was forced to leave an event amid violent protests — underscoring the volatility ahead of Argentina’s midterm elections scheduled for October 2025.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
