Argentina: Protests Against President Macri Austerity Continue

In Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, massive demonstrations were held for the seventh consecutive Friday, to express the population's rejection of the high prices of public services and the economic austerity measures implemented by the government of Mauricio Macri.

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The protests known as "Ruidazo" (a lot of noise), have been held every Friday in 2019, and are not only held in Buenos Aires, but also in several different cities of Argentina. Argentines were summoned to these rallies through social media to fight against what is commonly known in the South American nation as "Tarifazo," meaning the increasing of prices, especially public services.

In massive demonstrations, people made their pots, cornets and drums sound against the so-called "tarifazos." The economic austerity actions taken by the government of Mauricio Macri, and commanded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), have generated high inflation rates.

On December 27, the neoliberal government of President Mauricio Macri announced a new set of price increases in public services for the first quarter of 2019. These adjustments are being made on top of the inflation rates expected for this year, which is estimated to be around 23 percent.

These new "tarifazos" will be reaching an average of 40 percent in transportation; 55 percent in electricity; 35 percent in gas; and almost 50 percent in public water supply, whereas salaries will remain the same.

In emblematic corners, public parks and shopping centers, the protesters expressed their anger with posters and slogans. "No to tarifazos", or "Enough of unpayable rates", are just a few examples of what was written on the banners.