THOUSANDS of protesters camped near the Presidential Office of Asa Rosa, Buenos Aires, Argentina, after marching downtown.
The protesters are demanding the government implement policies against poverty, hunger, and assistance for soup kitchens amid the rising inflation.
The demonstrators were seen carrying various slogans and setting up tents.
They claim that the cutbacks of the government were promoted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Eduardo Belliboni, one of the leaders of the Polo Obrero Labor Union, denounced the Argentine government through the social development ministry and claimed that the ministry plans an adjustment of 400,000 social plans at the request of the IMF.
‘’First, stop with the cuts. Food is being taken out of soup kitchens, social programs are being cancelled, and the delivery of tools to continue working is being reduced. Clearly, there is a brutal adjustment by the minister and we are going to resist, we are going to reject,’’ said Belliboni.
Reports say in 2018, Argentina and the IMF agreed to a $57 billion program.
In March 2022, the government restructured its 45 billion US dollar debt and postponed repayments.
The administration claims that spending reforms are necessary while further welfare and subsidy reductions are expected.
Argentina is already suffering a drought and beaten down grain exports, among others, which has worsened the economic crisis.
Meanwhile, Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez slammed the IMF amid high inflation and depleting dollar reserves.
A report approved this week by the country’s general auditor’s office revealed that Ex-President Mauricio Macri’s 2018 agreement with the IMF broke many laws and protocols and concluded that the IMF loan was harmful to the public accounts of Argentina.
The IMF has declined to comment on criticisms against the new deal.
President Fernandez, meanwhile, took to Twitter and blamed Macri, saying that quote was more than a debt, it is a crime.
The report of the AGN shows that the IMF loan taken by Macri has violated Argentine law and must be investigated with the full weight of justice.
