Argentina's unions take to the streets to protest president's cutbacks, deregulation and austerity

Thousands of union members and activists are taking to the streets of Argentina’s capital to protest President Javier Milei’s sweeping program of cutbacks, deregulation and austerity measures meant to reform the country’s struggling economy

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Thousands of union members and activists took to the streets of Argentina’s capital Wednesday to protest a decree from President Javier Milei that imposes sweeping deregulation and austerity measures meant to revive the country's struggling economy.

Unions had asked a court for a prior injunction to block measures lifting some labor protections, but a judge rejected the appeal, noting the decree had not yet entered into effect. It does so on Friday.

Argentine labor activists question whether Milei, a self-described anarcho-capitalist who has long railed against the country's “political caste,” can impose the measures by way of an emergency decree bypassing the legislature where his party has few seats.

“We do not question the president’s legitimacy ... but we want a president who respects the division of powers, who understands that workers have the need to defend themselves individually and within the framework of justice when there is unconstitutionality,” said Gerardo Martínez, general secretary of Argentina’s construction workers’ union.

The protest went off peacefully, except for a confrontation between a small group of protesters and police. Journalists were caught up in the scuffle as police broke up the group of protesters, and some were beaten by police.