Argentina
Argentine Senate approves “zero deficit budget”
By Rafael Azul, 20 November 2018
“An austerity policy of this magnitude has never taken place without the collapse of the government.”
Argentine workers and students march against “hunger budget”
By Rafael Azul, 27 October 2018
Tens of thousands took to the streets of Buenos Aires to repudiate the austerity measures demanded by the IMF and the Argentine government.
Argentine teachers facing massive pay cuts strike for 48 hours
By Andrea Lobo, 12 October 2018
Teachers face losing a quarter of their real wages this year, while Macri’s austerity policies threaten to cut funding for public education by up to 40 percent in real terms.
Argentina’s Macri responds to fourth general strike with yet another IMF package
By Andrea Lobo, 28 September 2018
The trade union bureaucracies, most of which had agreed to a truce with the Macri administration during the beginning of his term, are seeking to contain growing social anger.
Mounting turmoil in emerging markets
By Nick Beams, 6 September 2018
The plunge in emerging market currencies is a product of the strengthening of the dollar and the increase in US interest rates, which is sucking capital back into American markets.
Argentine government announces “emergency” measures to face deepening recession and growing unrest
By Andrea Lobo, 5 September 2018
In his speech Monday, President Macri declared that the market had supported Argentina for two years and warned that “poverty will increase.”
Argentina on the brink of financial meltdown
By Cesar Uco, 22 August 2018
Following the collapse of the Turkish lira, Argentina has undertaken mega-devaluations, threatening an economic collapse.
Mass strike erupts in Buenos Aires after two school workers die from gas explosion
By Andrea Lobo, 7 August 2018
While teachers saw the tragic event as evidence of the need to unite their struggles with other workers, the trade unions are seeking it to channel them behind bourgeois politics.
Leadership of Argentina’s Partido Obrero maintains silence on ties to right-wing Russian nationalism
By Bill Van Auken, 29 June 2018
As more information emerges about the right-wing connections of the Russian Stalinist introduced as a “comrade” in “refounding the Fourth International,” the leadership of the PO has maintained complete silence.
Argentine workers stage massive general strike against Macri’s austerity policies
By Rafael Azul, 26 June 2018
Total work stoppages shut down municipal transit, banks and airports throughout Argentina Monday.
Argentine unions and pseudo-left scrambling to prevent social explosion
By Andrea Lobo, 22 June 2018
While the Macri administration deploys its armed forces to repress an upcoming upsurge in workers’ struggles, the trade unions, Peronism, and the Left and Workers Front have formed new coalitions to betray the working class.
Argentina’s Partido Obrero suppresses questions on alliance with Russian Stalinist with ties to neo-fascism
By Bill Van Auken, 19 June 2018
Presented to the Partido Obrero’s membership as a “comrade” in “refounding” the Fourth International, Darya Mitina has ties to fascists throughout Europe.
Argentina: Buenos Aires police attack striking transit workers
By Rafael Azul, 24 May 2018
Helmeted riot police, equipped with batons and full-body shields and firing rubber bullets, invaded the subway tunnels.
Argentina to make new IMF agreement amid growing social discontent
By Eric London, 10 May 2018
An estimated 75 percent of Argentinians oppose the move, which takes place alongside broadening strikes among teachers and other workers.
Argentina: Government responds to peso crisis with panic selling of dollar reserves and interest rate increase
By Rafael Azul, 8 May 2018
The Argentinian ruling class, under pressure from Wall Street, is fearful of another situation like the 2001-2002 crisis.
Argentine teachers begin school year with a national strike
By Andrea Lobo, 7 March 2018
The action was staged in protest against cuts in public education spending and attempts by the government to drastically reduce the real wages of teachers.
Argentina’s Congress passes social security “reform” after violent crackdown on protesters
By Rafael Azul, 20 December 2017
Mass protests have erupted against the vote in the lower house for pension legislation that will slash benefits for more than 40 percent of the Argentine population.
After electoral victory, Argentine president promises “most austere policies”
By Andrea Lobo, 25 October 2017
The results express a deep resentment against the 12-year Peronist rule that began the austerity drive that has only deepened under Macri.
Discovery of dead youth’s body raises specter of forced disappearances in Argentina
By Andrea Lobo, 23 October 2017
The case has created a sense of deep distrust towards the conservative government of President Mauricio Macri and all the official institutions involved.
Argentina’s Left and Workers’ Front (FIT): “Podemos in diapers”
By Andrea Lobo, 20 July 2017
Amid a mounting social and political crisis, the FIT’s renewed electoral alliance for Argentina’s upcoming legislative elections is a political trap for workers and youth.
Argentine teachers launch protest strike
By Rafael Azul, 17 April 2017
Last week’s national teachers strike against police repression was part of growing struggles against the government’s attacks on jobs, living standards and democratic rights.
National strike in Argentina as opposition to austerity grows
By Rafael Azul, 6 April 2017
Argentina’s trade union bureaucracy has collaborated with the government, facilitating the imposition of attacks on wages, jobs and democratic rights.
Argentina: Macri’s immigration decree brings back the politics of the Videla dictatorship
By Rafael Azul, 9 February 2017
President Macri’s executive order on immigration streamlines deportations and creates legal barriers to immigration from neighboring countries.
“Left populism”: An attack on socialism by the Argentine pseudo-left
By Andrea Lobo, 8 February 2017
The pseudo-left FT-CI advocates “left populism” to subordinate the interests of Latin American workers to the more affluent sections of the middle class.
Italian court sentences ex-Latin American dictators for Operation Condor
By Cesar Uco and Bill Van Auken, 1 February 2017
While convicting the ex-military rulers of Peru and Bolivia, the court absolved a confessed Uruguayan torturer residing in Italy, the one defendant it had the power to punish for his crimes.
Financial parasites feast on Argentina’s economy
By Andrea Lobo, 16 January 2017
Under conditions of an economic recession, financial investors in Argentina feast on high interest rates, while unions and the pseudo-left prevent an independent response by workers.
Argentine court sentences Plan Condor defendants
By Rafael Azul, 1 June 2016
Plan Condor was responsible for the rendition, torture and deaths of tens of thousands of left-wing Latin American workers and youth.
Obama’s pivot to Latin America
By Bill Van Auken, 26 March 2016
Behind Obama’s empty human rights rhetoric, Washington is prepared to carry out new and bloodier crimes in Latin America in pursuit of US profit interests.
Obama hails Macri’s attacks on Argentine workers
By Rafael Azul, 24 March 2016
Obama’s trip is aimed at cementing closer military and economic relations with the right-wing Macri government.
Argentina: President Macri’s first 100 days
By Rafael Azul, 19 March 2016
The antidemocratic and austerity measures enacted by the Macri administration are in continuity with those of the Videla junta 40 years ago.
Argentina sinks Chinese fishing vessel
By Bill Van Auken, 17 March 2016
The attack on the Chinese ship has triggered the first foreign policy crisis for Argentina’s new right-wing president.
Right-wing presidential candidate Mauricio Macri elected in Argentina
By Rafael Azul, 26 November 2015
Far from being a popular endorsement of Macri, the results of last Sunday’s elections are a mass repudiation of Peronism and the administration of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.
Argentine election goes to run-off in blow to ruling Peronist faction
By Rafael Azul, 28 October 2015
It is an open secret in Argentina that whoever forms the next government will usher in austerity measures and attacks on wages and jobs.
The Argentine general elections and the Workers’ Left Front
By Rafael Azul, 24 October 2015
Like Syriza in Greece, the Workers’ Left Front, composed of various pseudo-left organizations, is a trap for the Argentine working class.
Argentina charges US interference in crisis over prosecutor’s death
By Rafael Azul, 21 February 2015
The CIA and other foreign intelligence agencies were intimately involved in the investigation headed by Alberto Nisman, who was killed on January 18.
Political conflict between Argentinian president and intelligence agencies intensifies
By Rafael Azul and Eric London, 7 February 2015
President Cristina Fernandez has blamed the Argentinian intelligence agency, SIDE, for the mysterious death of senior prosecutor Alberto Nisman.
Cables document relations between Castro and Argentine junta
By Marc Wells, 28 November 2014
According to recently released cables, diplomatic exchanges occurred in 1977 between Cuban President Fidel Castro and the Argentine military ruler.
Argentine general strike hits rising prices and job cuts
By Bill Van Auken, 29 August 2014
The government, which has adopted a nationalist pose in relation to US hedge funds, denounced the workers for staging a “political” strike.
US court forces Argentina into default
By Bill Van Auken, 1 August 2014
The action threatens to worsen Argentina’s economic conditions, while setting the stage for far more explosive debt crises internationally.
US Supreme Court backs hedge fund against Argentina
By Rafael Azul, 24 June 2014
Following a New York court decision, Argentina faces financial default and a payments crisis for the second time since 2001.
General strike in Argentina
By Rafael Azul, 12 April 2014
Mass participation in the April 10 general strike expressed working class anger over government austerity measures.
Argentina: Tens of thousands of striking teachers protest in La Plata
By Rafael Azul, 21 March 2014
As inflation rages in the country, teachers in five provinces are on strike over cost of living increases.
Argentina on the brink of a social explosion
By Rafael Azul, 24 February 2014
Argentina’s devaluation and inflationary crisis are rapidly undermining living standards.
Argentina on brink of new financial crisis
By Bill Van Auken, 29 January 2014
The Argentine government has responded to last week’s run on the peso with new rules allowing dollar purchases to barely 20 percent of the population.
Argentine poet Juan Gelman dies in Mexico City at 83
By Rafael Azul, 29 January 2014
Argentine poet Juan Gelman died in Mexico city on January 14. Gelman was considered one of the most important Spanish-language poets, as well as a fighter against the Latin American dictatorships of the 1970s.
Following social unrest, Argentine government grants police wage hikes
By Rafael Azul, 31 December 2013
Responding to social unrest triggered by provincial police strikes, Argentine authorities granted the police substantial wage increases.
Secret minutes of Argentine military junta found
By César Uco, 23 November 2013
On November 1, Argentina’s defense minister, Agustin Rossi, announced the discovery of 1,500 documents including 280 sets of secret minutes of the brutal military dictatorship that ruled the country for six years.
Argentina’s ruling party suffers losses in congressional election
By Bill Van Auken, 2 November 2013
The ruling Peronist faction of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner saw its vote decline sharply in last Sunday’s elections, reflecting discontent with deteriorating economic and social conditions.
Spain blocks Argentinian attempts to prosecute Franco-era fascists
By Alejandro López, 22 October 2013
Argentinian judge María Romilda Servini de Cubría has issued arrest warrants for four former Spanish fascists from the regime of dictator General Francisco Franco.
Argentina’s ex-dictator Videla dead at 87
By Henry Allan, 23 May 2013
The 1976 coup led by Videla unleashed both economic devastation and mass repression against the working class.
Argentina’s General Videla and the “war on terror”
By Bill Van Auken, 22 May 2013
Gen. Jorge Videla was undoubtedly mourned within military and intelligence circles as a pioneer in the “war on terror.”
Argentine court sentences rail union officials in the murder of Mariano Ferreyra
By Rafael Azul, 3 May 2013
In a contradictory and politically tainted decision, a Buenos Aires court sentenced rail union leaders to prison for the killing of left-wing activist Mariano Ferreyra.
Floods devastate Argentina
By Rafael Azul, 18 April 2013
Torrential storms and floods affected 450,000 people and killed 58 in Argentina.
The “Dirty War” Pope
By Bill Van Auken, 16 March 2013
Placed on the papal throne is a man directly implicated in one of the greatest crimes of the post-World War II era—Argentina’s “Dirty War.”
Operation Condor trial begins in Argentina
By Bill Van Auken, 7 March 2013
The trial is the first to deal with the coordinated state terror campaign launched by Latin America’s US-backed dictatorships.
The extortionate operations of NML Capital
By Ernst Wolff, 11 December 2012
A New York court ordered Argentina to settle debts totalling $1.33 billion with hedge fund NML Capital by December 15.
Argentina partially re-nationalizes YPF oil company
By Bill Van Auken, 24 April 2012
The announced expropriation of a 51 percent share in YPF is only the latest episode in a protracted, politically driven looting and manipulation of the formerly state-owned oil company.
Popular protests sparked by deadly train accident in Argentina
By Rafael Azul, 1 March 2012
Popular anger has erupted in Argentina over evidence that a train accident that killed 51 people was the result of decades of neglect of the country’s passenger rail system.
UK-Argentine tensions rise over Malvinas Islands
By Bill Van Auken, 10 February 2012
On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the war between Britain and Argentina, tensions over the Malvinas Islands are rising once again.
Latin stock markets hit hardest by US credit downgrade
By Luis Arce, 12 August 2011
Latin America’s financial markets suffered the most severe losses of any in the world in the “Black Monday” global sell-off that followed the downgrading of US debt.
Argentine victims of dirty war to sue Daimler Benz in US Court
By Rafael Azul, 23 May 2011
A US appeals Court has reinstated a suit against German carmaker Daimler Benz for its participation in the kidnapping and murder of workers at one of its Argentine plants during the so-called dirty war of the 1970s.
Top Argentine union leader arrested in murder of left-wing worker
By Bill Van Auken, 25 February 2011
Jose Pedraza, the president of Argentina’s Railway Union, was arrested Tuesday for the murder of Mariano Ferreyra, a left-wing worker, during a goon squad attack last October.
General strike in Argentina over killing of left-wing youth
By Rafael Azul, 25 October 2010
The general strike Thursday was organized over the murder of Mariano Ferreyra, a 23-year-old leftist youth, by thugs from the rail union, which works closely with the government.
British oil drilling off Malvinas escalates tensions with Argentina
By Paul Bond, 2 March 2010
Britain’s decision to begin exploratory drilling has stoked tensions with the Argentine government over control of the disputed Malvinas (Falklands) Islands, and the oil reserves on the seabed around them.
Workers Struggles: The Americas
11 November 2008
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute http://www.wsws.org/wsws/dd-formmailer/dd-formmailer.php to this regular feature.
Fearing default, Argentina moves to nationalize private pension funds
By Luis Arce, 24 October 2008
Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner proposed legislation Tuesday to nationalize the country’s private pension funds—known in Spanish as AFJPs—in an attempt to stave off a new government default on its debt.
Former Argentine generals sentenced to life
US links to the junta
By Debra Watson, 8 September 2008
At the end of last month two former Argentine generals were convicted of kidnapping, torturing and murdering a senator three decades ago, during the military dictatorship of General Jorge Videla.
Wall Street loots Argentine workers’ pensions
By Cesar Uco, 20 August 2001
One of the most important but least known aspects of the current Argentine crisis is the looting of workers’ pension funds by the Buenos Aires government, local banks and Wall Street. Billions of dollars in savings by public employees and other workers are to be put up as collateral as part of the government’s “patriotic call” to rescue Argentina from defaulting on its $130 billion foreign debt.
As markets applaud cuts
Argentine workers strike against austerity measures
By Bill Vann, 25 July 2001
International financial investors appeared satisfied, at least for the moment, with a new round of economic austerity measures that provoked crippling strikes by the Argentine workers last week. The Buenos Aires stock market continued a moderate rebound amid indications that the Peronist opposition as well as the petty-bourgeois left FREPASO coalition are prepared to support the “zero deficit” program advanced by President Fernando De la Rua and his economy minister, Domingo Cavallo.
Argentina: Congress grants Cavallo emergency powers
Wall Street's man in charge
By Bill Vann, 28 March 2001
After nearly three years of recession and facing a desperate foreign debt crisis, Argentina's Congress has voted to grant emergency powers to Domingo Cavallo, the newly installed economy minister and author of previous economic plans that plunged the country into a downward spiral of poverty, unemployment and homelessness.
General strike in Argentina
By Gerardo Nebbia, 28 November 2000
A 36-hour general strike called by three union federations in Argentina virtually shut down the nation of 37 million inhabitants last week. The mass walkout was a protest against austerity measures by the De la Rua administration that would cut Social Security benefits and freeze federal and provincial budgets for five years. President De la Rua and Labor Minister Patricia Bullrich denounced the strike.
Argentine debt crisis threatens global turbulence
By Nick Beams, 21 November 2000
In the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98, the government of Argentina won praise from the International Monetary Fund for its embrace of privatisation, government spending cuts and free market “reforms” of its financial system.
Growing hostility to Argentine government's austerity program
By Margaret Rees, 29 June 2000
Backed personally by US President Clinton, Argentina's President Fernando De la Rua is seeking to impose IMF-ordered spending cuts despite a general strike on June 9. About 60 percent of the Argentine work force—that is 7.2 million workers—participated in the 24-hour stoppage to oppose De la Rua' s decree of cuts totalling $938 million, announced on May 29.
Argentine police in violent attack on trade union demonstrators
By Will Marshall, 25 April 2000
Violent scenes erupted outside the Argentine Congress last week as police assaulted workers and trade unionists protesting against the De la Rua government's labour reform bill. Five police were caught on film clubbing a protester senseless as he lay on the sidewalk with blood pouring from his head. One police officer was filmed taking a knife from a protester and then slashing his back with the knife. Police also used tear gas and fired rubber bullets against the crowd of 500, which grew as news of the police brutality spread.
New Argentine government shoots down protesting workers
By Margaret Rees, 30 December 1999
Within a week of taking office, the government of Argentina's newly-elected President Ferdinand De la Rua quickly revealed its true face when paramilitary police shot dead two demonstrators and wounded 50 on December 17 in the provincial capital of the bankrupt Corrientes province.
Indictment of Argentina's military alarms political establishment
By Will Marshall, 30 November 1999
Outgoing Argentine President Carlos Menem has bitterly opposed moves by Spanish judge Baltasar Garzon to indict 98 former Argentine military officers for carrying out atrocities. Garzon's 282-page arrest warrant, issued in Madrid on November 3, documents some of the crimes committed under military rule from 1976 to 1983. During the military's “Dirty War” its officers killed about 30,000 people and illegally imprisoned and tortured many others.
Repudiation of Menem era
New Argentine president to deepen austerity policies
By Bill Vann, 2 November 1999
After a decade in power under the presidency of Carlos Menem, the Peronist party suffered a crushing defeat in Argentina's general elections held October 24.
Argentina's presidential candidates vow to slash spending
By Will Marshall, 18 October 1999
An ongoing economic crisis overshadows the upcoming October 24 presidential elections in Argentina. The country is in its deepest recession in 10 years, with the economy contracting by 3 percent during 1999. Complicating this, Argentina has seen its access to credit worsen since Brazil's currency devaluation in January destabilised and discouraged investment throughout the region.
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