Thousands rally against rising hunger in Argentina amid austerity measures

Protests erupted throughout Argentina for food assistance for the underprivileged, in response to the adverse effects of skyrocketing inflation and the implementation of President Javier Milei’s stringent austerity measures.

Angry demonstrators took to the streets across the country on Friday and condemned the strict economic conditions created by Milei and his administration, voicing support for the economically backward.

Since the quinquagenarian former economist took office in December, Milei has slashed public spending, and has won the approval of the International Monetary Fund.

Nevertheless, the South American country is going through turbulent times with a mounted financial crisis underway, as the annual inflation is touching 254 percent, the highest in the world by some measures.

“In a little more than two months, this government has generated a very critical situation of poverty,” Alejandro Gramajo of the UTEP union told AFP.

The cost of transport has risen to unimaginable numbers, with bus ticket prices having increased by over three times.

The government has also halted vital assistance to soup kitchens that are catering to an increasing number of individuals in need.

New Argentine president's first economic shake-up plan sparks protests

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Buenos Aires after Argentina’s new far-right President Javier Milei signed an emergency decree outlining several controversial economic reforms.

“No to the increase in transport costs,” protesters chanted, along with cries of “Hunger doesn’t wait” and “Pots are empty, pockets are too.”

Argentina’s 38,000 meal centers, which cater to the underprivileged by offering warm meals, were supplied with their final shipment of government-provided provisions in November, just before Milei, 53, assumed office.

On Thursday, employees grouped by the FATSA Federation of Argentine Healthcare Workers’ Associations, headed by Héctor Daer, also protested with a 24-hour strike.

“Given the intransigence of business chambers, the Healthcare Board in its entirety resolves to have a 24-hour National Strike on Thursday 02/22. We will move forward with any necessary union action to reinstate our comrades’ wages,” the union leader stated on it social media account.

From transportation and education professionals to healthcare workers and public servants, all these groups have announced their intention to stage nationwide strikes on a specific date.

Explainer: Who is Javier Milei, Argentina’s new right-wing, pro-Israel president?

Javier Milei, Argentina’s new far-right president, has been likened to Donald Trump for his idiosyncrasies and is known for his unabashed support for the Israeli regime.

Apart from being a far-right populist leader who has been compared with former US president Donald Trump, he also labels himself an “anarcho-capitalist libertarian.”

People got to know him through his slogan “There’s no money”, which he said after taking office and pledged to terminate the era of excessive spending by his predecessors.

By initiating a “shock therapy” by devaluing Argentina’s currency by 50% in relation to the US dollar, Milei cut tens of thousands of public jobs and halved the number of government ministries after his arrival.

Milei, who was elected amidst a surge of anger towards the nation’s decline, has cautioned the public that the economic crisis will deteriorate before showing any signs of improvement.

“When we hit rock bottom, we will bounce back,” he claimed.

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