Ex-President Criticizes Macri for Argentina's Debt Crisis

"Debt and more debt" has become Argentina’s trademark under the government of Mauricio Macri after a series of poor economic decisions, according to former president and National Senator Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

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A report issued by the Argentine Ministry of Finance indicates that the amount of debt accumulated over the last 11 months exceeds that of 2016 by 20 percent, with loans totalling almost US$80,000.

In a series of tweets on Thursday, Kirchner – who is currently being investigated for charges of treason – denounced the policies along with growing inflation and poverty rates, rejecting the reforms as being outdated.

"Uncontrolled debt; increase in the unprecedented fiscal, trade and current account deficits; growth in poverty and indigence; inflation; rate hikes; job insecurity and "reforms." These policies, like yogurt, have an expiration date," Kirchner wrote.

The former president denounced the pension and mortgage reforms passed by Macri's administration, saying the effects would be felt by future generations for years to come.

Dozens of protests have erupted across Buenos Aires since the reforms received the seal of approval from the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, with a final tally of 146 votes for and 77 against.

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Police authorities are currently investigating whether the demonstrations, in which more than 88 officers were injured and approximately US$30 million in damage was done to the plaza, were part of an organized movement.

Photographs and video footage show Law Enforcement Officer Damian Ferrero among the crowd throwing stones at riot police outside Congress Thursday. Ferrero has since been discharged from his position with the Buenos Aires police department.

Other participants have also been identified, including Worker's Party members Javier Arakaki, Cecilia Burgeno and Sebastian Romero.

Those captured on tape have been accused by City Police officials of crimes of assault, resistance to authority, damage, injury and public intimidation.

Social and human-rights organizations, politicians and activists have denounced the "brutal" force used by police during the protests. They told reporters the current administration is violating constitutional rights and guarantees which were implemented to protect citizens' right to demonstrate.