Argentina’s security minister, Patricia Bullrich, is facing calls for resignation following a violent police response to protests by pensioners, which left freelance photographer Pablo Grillo in a coma and many others injured.
On Wednesday, more than 1,000 riot police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to disperse demonstrators who have been gathering weekly to demand increased pensions and access to free medicines, amidst President Javier Milei’s austerity measures. The protests swelled this week with support from soccer fans.
What began as a peaceful protest quickly escalated into violence, with police reportedly charging into the crowd and using batons on elderly participants. A viral video captured an elderly woman being struck down, and Grillo was seriously injured by a tear gas canister. His father condemned Bullrich, asserting that his son’s life is in danger.
The Argentine Graphic Press Association (ARGRA) has called for Bullrich’s removal, demanding accountability for the violence. While authorities claim some protesters became violent, human rights organizations report over 500 injuries and more than 100 arrests. Opposition figures have criticized the government’s heavy-handed approach.
Retirees are feeling the brunt of Milei’s policies, which have significantly reduced pension benefits amid rising inflation, leading many, like 73-year-old Liliana Morono, to express their struggles. The government dismisses the protests as politically motivated.
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