17 Jul 2018 | 04:46 PM UTC
Argentina: Disruptions due to G20 meeting in Buenos Aires July 18-22
Road and subway closures in Recoleta neighborhood as G20 Finance Ministers meet July 19-22; associated protests possible
Event
Finance Ministers and Central Bank presidents representing G20 nations will meet Thursday, July 19, to Sunday, July 22, at the Exposition Center in Buenos Aires. Security measures will be stepped up surrounding the meetings, and authorities have announced they will close Avenida del Libertador between Avenida Callao and Calle Rodríguez Peña from 20:00 (local time) Wednesday, July 18, to 20:00 on Sunday, July 22. Avenida del Libertador and Avenida Alcorta will be closed to westbound traffic between Avenida Callao and Calle Biblioni from 22:00 on Wednesday to 20:00 on Sunday. Additionally, the Facultad de Derecho Subway station will be closed from 00:01 on Saturday to 20:00 on Sunday. Buses with routes along Avenida del Libertador and Avenida Alcorta in Recoleta will be rerouted along Avenida Alvear and Avenida Pueyrredón. The possibility of protests in the vicinity of the meetings cannot be ruled out as many Argentinians oppose the IMF's role in the Argentine economy and IMF Director Christine Lagarde will be in attendance.
Context
The meetings are part of a series of preparations for this year's G20 summit, to be held in Buenos Aires from November 30 to December 1. Anti-IMF groups protested July 9 the USD 50 billion loan that Argentina received from the IMF, as well as the economic policies of President Mauricio Macri's conservative government. A related nationwide general strike was carried out on June 25, causing significant transportation disruptions throughout Buenos Aires.
Advice
Individuals in Buenos Aires are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all political demonstrations or events as a precaution, and allow for additional time to travel in the Recoleta and Retiro neighborhoods in the coming days.
