Argentina: Various protests in Buenos Aires June 29

Event

Different protests are taking place in Buenos Aires on Thursday, June 29, with demonstrators planning on blocking traffic in various areas.

•    The first protest, led by labor unions, will begin at 13:00 (local time) and will take place on Avenida Córdoba between Esmeralda and Maipú.

•    The second protest, also led by labor unions, will commence at 15:00 and will take place on Lima between Moreno and Avenida Belgrano.

As such, traffic congestion in the downtown area is likely, along with an increased police presence. Clashes between security forces and protesters is possible, as was the case during similar protests held on June 28.

Context

While the majority of demonstrations in Argentina take place without major incident, larger ones can result in major traffic chaos that can significantly disrupt daily life. Clashes with security forces and other low-intensity violence occasionally occurs, particularly in the event protesters erect roadblocks. Protests in Buenos Aires erupted in violence on June 28 as police attempted to remove roadblocks; at least seven protesters were arrested.

Sociopolitical tensions have been on the rise in Argentina since current (conservative) President Mauricio Marci took office in December 2015, with an uptick in anti-government protests and strikes observed in recent months. Various groups are demanding increased salaries amid high inflation and protesting to draw attention to various other socioeconomic issues, including high unemployment, poverty, and economic inequality.

Advice

Individuals in Argentina are advised to avoid all protests as a precaution, allow for extra time to reach their destinations, and to keep abreast of the sociopolitical climate in the coming days and weeks.