06
May 2024
7:17 UTC
Argentina Tactical: Unionized workers, left-wing groups call for anti-government protests, roadblocks nationwide, including in Buenos Aries, on May 7; maintain heightened vigilance
Current Situation
- The Union de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la Economia Popular (UTEP) labor union along with 40 left-wing civil society organizations, including the Polo Obrero and Libres del Sur, are reportedly slated to erect roadblocks at approximately 500 points nationwide, including access to Buenos Aires City, La Plata, and others, from 10:00 (local time) on May 7.
- The protests will also be joined by Movimiento Argentina Rebelde (MAR), Coordinadora por el Cambio Social (CCS), Frente de Organizaciones en Lucha (FOL), Movimiento 8 de Abril, OLP Resistir y Luchar, MST Teresa Vive, among others which make up the Frente de Lucha Piquetero (FLP).
- The demonstrations are being called to denounce President Javier Milei-led government’s reforms that have allegedly caused a shortage of food in community kitchens and led to their respective closures nationwide. Additionally, the organizing groups will protest the elimination of social security programs, including the Potenciar Trabajo plan, that allegedly accounts for the main income of thousands of households.
- The call for demonstrations on May 7 follows the erection of roadblocks across multiple locations in Buenos Aires on March 12 and 18, for similar demands.
- Although an official announcement regarding the cut-off points remains unconfirmed, reports indicate the following protests and associated roadblock locations in Buenos Aires Province:
- Access to Buenos Aires City via Puente Saavedra
- Rotonda de Alpargatas, in Berazategui
- Access to Lavallol, in Lomas de Zamora
- Traingulo de Bernal, in Quilmes
- Rotonda de San Justo, in La Matanza
- Access to Plaza Oeste near Avenida Vergara, in Moron
- La Bajada, in La Plata
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on the mobilizational capabilities of the aforementioned groups, the demonstrations in Buenos Aires Province will likely witness turnouts in the low-to-mid thousands.
- Additionally, protests and associated roadblocks are also likely across other provinces including Cordoba, Entre Rios, Misiones, Salta, and Tucuman, among others, witnessing turnouts in the low-to-mid hundreds each.
- Given precedent, the protests carry a credible potential for unrest in the form localized clashes between security forces and protesters. Considering the anti-picket protocol announced by Security Minister Patricia Bullrich on December 14, security officials are liable to resort to forcible dispersal methods, including the use of water cannons and tear gas, to dismantle disruptive road blockades.
- With this, a bolstered security presence can be expected near the slated demonstration sites nationwide, as well as at major government facilities, including the Congreso de la Nacion and the Casa Rosada, and prominent public spaces in major cities, including the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, to monitor proceedings.
- Consequently, significant disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be anticipated in the vicinity of all protest locations, particularly along access points to and from Buenos Aires. Moreover, pre-emptive road closures and measures to regulate traffic flow are also likely on May 7.
- Further, disruptions to both inter and intra-province travel can be expected throughout the day.
Recommendations
- Those residing or operating in Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires, on May 7 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance due to the potential for localized unrest during the slated demonstrations.
- Allot for disruptions to travel due to the blockades during the slated protests.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Argentina
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Current Situation
- The Union de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la Economia Popular (UTEP) labor union along with 40 left-wing civil society organizations, including the Polo Obrero and Libres del Sur, are reportedly slated to erect roadblocks at approximately 500 points nationwide, including access to Buenos Aires City, La Plata, and others, from 10:00 (local time) on May 7.
- The protests will also be joined by Movimiento Argentina Rebelde (MAR), Coordinadora por el Cambio Social (CCS), Frente de Organizaciones en Lucha (FOL), Movimiento 8 de Abril, OLP Resistir y Luchar, MST Teresa Vive, among others which make up the Frente de Lucha Piquetero (FLP).
- The demonstrations are being called to denounce President Javier Milei-led government’s reforms that have allegedly caused a shortage of food in community kitchens and led to their respective closures nationwide. Additionally, the organizing groups will protest the elimination of social security programs, including the Potenciar Trabajo plan, that allegedly accounts for the main income of thousands of households.
- The call for demonstrations on May 7 follows the erection of roadblocks across multiple locations in Buenos Aires on March 12 and 18, for similar demands.
- Although an official announcement regarding the cut-off points remains unconfirmed, reports indicate the following protests and associated roadblock locations in Buenos Aires Province:
- Access to Buenos Aires City via Puente Saavedra
- Rotonda de Alpargatas, in Berazategui
- Access to Lavallol, in Lomas de Zamora
- Traingulo de Bernal, in Quilmes
- Rotonda de San Justo, in La Matanza
- Access to Plaza Oeste near Avenida Vergara, in Moron
- La Bajada, in La Plata
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on the mobilizational capabilities of the aforementioned groups, the demonstrations in Buenos Aires Province will likely witness turnouts in the low-to-mid thousands.
- Additionally, protests and associated roadblocks are also likely across other provinces including Cordoba, Entre Rios, Misiones, Salta, and Tucuman, among others, witnessing turnouts in the low-to-mid hundreds each.
- Given precedent, the protests carry a credible potential for unrest in the form localized clashes between security forces and protesters. Considering the anti-picket protocol announced by Security Minister Patricia Bullrich on December 14, security officials are liable to resort to forcible dispersal methods, including the use of water cannons and tear gas, to dismantle disruptive road blockades.
- With this, a bolstered security presence can be expected near the slated demonstration sites nationwide, as well as at major government facilities, including the Congreso de la Nacion and the Casa Rosada, and prominent public spaces in major cities, including the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, to monitor proceedings.
- Consequently, significant disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be anticipated in the vicinity of all protest locations, particularly along access points to and from Buenos Aires. Moreover, pre-emptive road closures and measures to regulate traffic flow are also likely on May 7.
- Further, disruptions to both inter and intra-province travel can be expected throughout the day.
Recommendations
- Those residing or operating in Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires, on May 7 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance due to the potential for localized unrest during the slated demonstrations.
- Allot for disruptions to travel due to the blockades during the slated protests.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Argentina
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Related Reports
Argentina
-
ProtestArgentina Tactical: ATE CONICET public workers’ union calls for protest outside Polo Cientifico Tecnologico in Buenos Aires on July 2; allot for disruptions -
ProtestArgentina Tactical: ATE workers union to hold multiple protests near government buildings in Buenos Aires on July 1; maintain heightened vigilance -
TravelArgentina Tactical: Lay Catholic group to hold Marcha de los Ninos por el Papa in Rosario, Santa Fe, from 14:30 (local time) on June 29; allot for disruptions -
ProtestArgentina Tactical: ATE labor union calls for protest outside Congreso in Buenos Aires on June 27; maintain heightened vigilance
Related Reports
Argentina
-
ProtestArgentina Tactical: ATE CONICET public workers’ union calls for protest outside Polo Cientifico Tecnologico in Buenos Aires on July 2; allot for disruptions
-
ProtestArgentina Tactical: ATE workers union to hold multiple protests near government buildings in Buenos Aires on July 1; maintain heightened vigilance
-
TravelArgentina Tactical: Lay Catholic group to hold Marcha de los Ninos por el Papa in Rosario, Santa Fe, from 14:30 (local time) on June 29; allot for disruptions
-
ProtestArgentina Tactical: ATE labor union calls for protest outside Congreso in Buenos Aires on June 27; maintain heightened vigilance