Argentina: Related protest activity reported ahead of unionized university workers' 24-hour nationwide strike planned Oct. 17

University workers affiliated with the National Universities Union Front (Frente Sindical de Universidades Nacionales) are planning to stage a 24-hour strike across Argentina on Oct. 17. The purpose of the labor action is to denounce a recent presidential veto of legislation that would increase funding for public universities. Related student-led demonstrations have materialized at various universities ahead of the planned work stoppage, including the University of Buenos Aires (Universidad de Buenos Aires, UBA) and La Plata National University (Universidad Nacional de La Plata, UNLP), and similar protests will likely materialize on and near these and other university campuses in the lead-up to and during the strike period. The demonstrations may involve sit-in protests, marches, and the closures of some local streets for public lectures.

University workers and students have announced that related protest activity will continue during the week of Oct. 21 but did not immediately provide specific demonstration plans. Heightened security and disruptions to transport, business, and university operations will probably affect campuses and other areas that are subject to protest activity. Road closures will also likely impact protest areas. Counterdemonstrations may materialize on short notice. Acts of vandalism and clashes between demonstrators and police, or between ideologically opposed individuals, cannot be ruled out.