23 Nov 2018 | 12:55 AM UTC
Argentina: Buenos Aires G20 Summit; airport closures, major disruptions /update 3
Buenos Aires hosts G20 leaders’ summit on November 30 and December 1; protests, heightened security presence, and transportation disruptions, including airport closures from November 29, likely leading up to and during summit
Event
Buenos Aires is hosting the G20 summit beginning with deputy meetings on Monday, November 26, and culminating with the leaders' summit on Friday, November 30, and Saturday, December 1.
Significant security measures are expected throughout the city and at ports of entry to Argentina (airports, land border crossings, ferry ports) before and during this two-day period. Delays and enhanced screening at immigration points are possible. A heightened security presence, including the deployment of an
additional 25,000 security personnel, is expected in Buenos Aires near event locations
(e.g. Costa Salguero in Palmero will reportedly have three rings of security around the area) and likely protest sites (e.g. Obelisco, Plaza de Mayo, and Plaza del Congreso).
These various factors are expected to result in major traffic disruptions, including road closures. Furthermore, all rail and metro services in the capital region will be completely suspended November 30 and December 1. The
minister of security is encouraging residents to leave the city for the
weekend; November 30, has been declared a public holiday.
Buenos Aires' Aeroparque Jorge Newbury (AEP), El Palomar military airport (EPA), San Fernando Airport (FDO), and Morón airbase (MXV) will be closed to commercial flights from 15:00 (local time) on November 29 until 22:00 on December 1. Helipads within at 25 km (15 mi) radius of AEP will also be closed. Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) will remain open, though delays and disruptions are likely.
Bus services from Uruguay will be limited on November 29, and suspended on November 30 and December 1.
Context
The G20 is made up of the world’s 20 largest economies, i.e. the US, Germany, UK, Turkey, South Africa, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Japan, Mexico, Italy, India, Indonesia, France, China, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and Argentina, and the EU. Various high-profile world leaders are expected to attend, including Donald Trump, Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping.
Advice
Individuals in Buenos Aires are advised to avoid all demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate increased security presence and transportation disruptions, allow for additional time to travel in the city and country during the summit, and confirm all travel reservations.
