Cars have been set alight and rocks thrown at parliament in violent clashes between retired people, backed by football fans, and police in Argentina.
Pensioners angry at the austerity policies of Argentina President Javier Milei’s government were joined by supporters of several clubs, and fought with riot police who responded with water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets.
Wednesday’s demonstration in Buenos Aires began peacefully before turning violent when a large group of Boca Juniors fans arrived, waving flags and chanting in support of the retirees.
Elderly people have been at the forefront of protests against Argentinian President Javier Milei’s austerity policies for many weeks. Pic: Reuters
Supporters of River Plate and other clubs, who are normally at odds with each other, also joined in.
As police formed a cordon to stop them reaching the country’s congressional building, a group of elderly protesters at the rear were pushed back by high-pressure water cannons fired by two tanks.
Surrounded by police, protesters chanted: “Don’t touch the elderly.”
A man draped in the Argentine flag held a sign that read: “Help me fight. You’ll be the next elderly person.”
One white-haired woman held up a shirt that read, “Don’t hit us, we are your parents!”
A woman stands in front of riot police during the protest. Pic: AP
A police officer uses a crowd control spray on a demonstrator. Pic: Reuters
Nearly 90 people were detained and 15 taken to hospital, among them a police officer who had been shot and a protester who had been hit in the head with a tear-gas canister, officials said.
People who have retired had been gathering outside the Congressional Palace every Wednesday to protest against the government’s austerity policies and demand higher pensions.
Pensions have been slashed as Mr Milei’s government tries to cut spending and reduce rampant inflation.
A police officer uses a crowd-control weapon. Pic: Reuters
A woman bangs plastic bottles together during a protest for higher pensions. Pic: AP
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Several elderly people have been injured in previous demonstrations.
Security minister Patricia Bullrich warned the so-called “barras bravas”, as organised groups of football fans in Argentina and Brazil are known, that there would be law and order.
