Roadblocks Paralyze Argentina as De la Rua Struggles with Political and Economic Pressures

 
Within a context of national economic recession and political crisis, thousands of unemployed workers have blocked roads and highways across Argentina demanding jobs, welfare programs and food. As witnessed in the northern province of Salta, these roadblocks sometimes end in violent clashes between police and protesters. On October 30, unemployed workers and indigenous groups blocked a main road near the town of Tartagal to protest economic and social conditions. Their demands included new jobs and funds to promote economic and social development in the province. Eleven days after the beginning of the road blockade, the local police and the protesters clashed; one man died and several protesters were arrested. In response to the police repression, people from Tartagal and neighboring towns joined the protesters and engaged in acts of violence such as looting and burning buildings and cars.

The Salta roadblock is just one example of the wave of social protests that has spread across Argentina during the past few years. From 1997-99, thousands of unemployed workers, along with other local people, set roadblocks in three provinces, Neuquen, Rosario and Salta. These protests ended after the national government agreed to create new jobs and expand social welfare programs. In 2000, the provinces of Buenos Aires, Chaco, La Plata and Salta have been the site of similar roadblocks.

This last wave of social protests takes place within the context of national economic recession. Argentina's economy shrank by 3.2% in 1999 and is expected to grow only 0.7% in 2000. Unemployment is 15% and a third of the population live below poverty line. President Fernando de la Rua is under pressure from markets and financial institutions to reduce social spending and cut fiscal deficits in order to qualify for credits.

In view of these international pressures, de la Rua is negotiating the 2001 national budget with the opposition, mainly the Peronist party, which controls several provincial governments.

The spread of roadblocks also coincides with a tense political scenario at the national level. President de la Rua faces many political challenges, such as the investigation of bribery scandals involving high ranking politicians, the replacement of his Vice President (Carlos "Chacho" Alvarez recently resigned over a case of bribery), and the need to forge political agreements with provinces dominated by the opposition. Such agreements, as well as attention to the demands of the poor, are key to preventing further deterioration of political stability in Argentina.

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