Argentina: Major disruptions in Buenos Aires amid G20 Summit /update 4

Event

Buenos Aires is currently hosting the G20 summit, with deputy meetings ongoing since November 26 and the leaders summit taking place on Friday, November 30, and Saturday, December 1.

Significant security measures have been implemented at ports of entry to Argentina (airports, land border crossings, ferry ports); delays and enhanced screenings are to be anticipated. Buenos Aires's Aeroparque Jorge Newbury (AEP), the El Palomar military airport (EPA), San Fernando Airport (FDO), and Morón airbase (MXV) - all located within Buenos Aires province - have been closed to commercial flights until 22:00 (local time) on December 1. Helipads within at 25 km (15 mi) radius of AEP are also closed. Buenos Aires’s Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) remains open, though disruptions are likely.

All rail and metro services in the capital region - as well as international bus services to and from Uruguay - will be completely suspended November 30 and December 1. November 30 has been declared a public holiday, meaning business and commercial disruptions are also likely in the city.

Various protests are to be anticipated during the summit, including a demonstration to  denounce Argentina’s hosting of the event, and its associated disruptions, on November 30. Demonstrators are expected to gather between 9 de Julio Avenue - a major thoroughfare - and the Congress building throughout the day.

A heightened security presence, including the deployment of an additional 25,000 security personnel, is expected in the city, notably near event locations (e.g. Costa Salguero in Palmero will reportedly have three rings of security around the area) and traditional 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.

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 due to the potential for violence, allow for additional time to reach their destinations, and confirm all travel reservations.