Argentina: Various protests in Buenos Aires June 22

Event

Various protests are taking place in Buenos Aires on Thursday, June 22, with demonstrators planning on blocking traffic in various areas.

• The first action, organized by the ATE union, will begin at 10:00 (local time) and is expected to result in the total suspension of traffic on Avenida Corrientes in the downtown area (microcenter) between Florida and Maipú.
• A second group (employees at the national social security administration, ANSES) is holding a 24-hour strike, accompanied by a protest, also in the downtown area. 
• A third group, members of the APOPS association (Asociación del Personal de los Organismos de Previsión Social), will gather beginning at noon at the corner of Córdoba and Carlos Pellegrini avenues before marching towards the APOPS headquarters (Avenida Córdoba 720). 
• A roadblock is expected in the afternoon beginning at 16:00 at the corner of General Paz and Roca.
• A roadblock is expected at the corner of Monteagudo and Caseros beginning at 17:00.
• A final protest is taking place at 17:00 at Avenida Juan B. Justo 600 (Palermo neighborhood).
  

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.