Retirees clash with police in Buenos Aires over pension veto

Last week, the Argentine Senate approved a bill to increase pension benefits by over 8 per cent.

Although the government managed to slow down the rise in prices, the increase in the cost of living in July was 4 percent, and cumulative inflation in the first seven months of the year reached 87 percent.

The annual inflation rate is around 263.4 per cent at a time when the minimum monthly pension is about 225,000 pesos (313 Canadian dollars), and the basic basket of food, medicines, and other goods and services for an adult exceeds 291,000 pesos (405 Canadian dollars).

So, why the protest? The reason was the veto announced by President Javier Milei against the bill raising pensions.

The retirees' demonstration took place on Wednesday in the centre of the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires.

They treated us with gas in the eyes. It's some kind of madness; it's very sad - said one of the retired women who took part in the protest.

The demonstrators, who gathered around the Parliament and President's headquarters, loudly expressed their opposition. Officers tried to push the protesters onto the sidewalk and then used tear gas.

The last few months in Argentina have been marked by mass protests concerning both the government's policies and the difficult economic situation. The difficulties faced by the country's residents also affect tourists.

Let's remember that on January 24 an all-national general strike was declared in Buenos Aires. Airports were closed, and all flights were cancelled. Tourists were stranded on the streets of the Argentine capital. The protests are conducted against the rule of Javier Milei but also due to the gigantic inflation and rising prices, which are not accompanied by an equivalent increase in wages.