Argentina: Various protests in Buenos Aires June 28

Event

Various protests are taking place in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, June 28, with demonstrators planning on blocking traffic in various areas
•    The first protest, organized by war veterans, will begin at 10:00 (local time) and will block northbound traffic on Avenida 9 de Julio from Avenida Corrientes onward.
•    The second protest, led by the SOMU union, will disrupt traffic on Avenida 9 de Julio and San José from 10:00.
•    From 12:00 onward, further protests will close avenues in the suburbs of Mitre and Boulogne as well as Avenida de los Constituyentes.
•    Workers’ rights groups will protest at the intersection of Avenida 9 de Julio and Belgrano at 13:00.
•    The final protest will occur at 16:00 when housing rights advocates march on Paseo Colón from Adolfo Alsina to Moreno.

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.

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.