**A general strike prompted by austerity measures has left much of Argentina's transport sector paralyzed, signaling escalating tensions in the wake of President Milei's unpopular reforms.**
**Nationwide Transport Shutdown: Argentina's General Strike Escalates**
**Nationwide Transport Shutdown: Argentina's General Strike Escalates**
**Austerity measures spur widespread unrest as unions respond to cuts in public spending.**
In Argentina, a general strike has effectively crippled the transport sector, marking a notable backlash against President Javier Milei's recent austerity policies. With the capital's major transport hubs, such as the Constitución railway station, shut down on Thursday, domestic flights have seen a complete cancellation, while subway and train services in Buenos Aires have also been halted.
Despite the nationwide disruption, certain bus services continued operating, and international flights from major airlines proceeded with some delays. This strike marks the third significant labor action coordinated by the country's influential unions since Milei took office at the tail end of 2023. The airline Aerolíneas Argentinas has reported the cancellation of 258 flights, impacting approximately 20,000 travelers in total.
Since assuming the presidency, Milei has implemented stringent austerity measures in an effort to combat surging hyperinflation, which has decreased from a staggering 200% to around 60% annually. However, these measures have deeply affected the most vulnerable sectors of society, particularly pensioners and lower-income workers.
Retired educator Horacio Bianchi from Buenos Aires expressed the dire situation many face, stating that citizens are struggling to afford basic necessities. He criticized the government's actions, saying they have exacerbated existing problems.
In recent protests, support for pensioners, who are experiencing deep cuts to their retirement funds, has led to escalated tensions, including violent clashes between demonstrators and police as they rallied against austerity measures.
The strike comes at a critical time as Argentina awaits the decision on whether it will receive a new $20 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, adding further pressure to an already strained economic situation, where the country's debt to the IMF stands at $44 billion. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to visit Buenos Aires on Monday to show support for Milei's economic reforms, which some U.S. officials describe as a necessary strategy to rescue Argentina's faltering economy.
Despite the nationwide disruption, certain bus services continued operating, and international flights from major airlines proceeded with some delays. This strike marks the third significant labor action coordinated by the country's influential unions since Milei took office at the tail end of 2023. The airline Aerolíneas Argentinas has reported the cancellation of 258 flights, impacting approximately 20,000 travelers in total.
Since assuming the presidency, Milei has implemented stringent austerity measures in an effort to combat surging hyperinflation, which has decreased from a staggering 200% to around 60% annually. However, these measures have deeply affected the most vulnerable sectors of society, particularly pensioners and lower-income workers.
Retired educator Horacio Bianchi from Buenos Aires expressed the dire situation many face, stating that citizens are struggling to afford basic necessities. He criticized the government's actions, saying they have exacerbated existing problems.
In recent protests, support for pensioners, who are experiencing deep cuts to their retirement funds, has led to escalated tensions, including violent clashes between demonstrators and police as they rallied against austerity measures.
The strike comes at a critical time as Argentina awaits the decision on whether it will receive a new $20 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, adding further pressure to an already strained economic situation, where the country's debt to the IMF stands at $44 billion. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to visit Buenos Aires on Monday to show support for Milei's economic reforms, which some U.S. officials describe as a necessary strategy to rescue Argentina's faltering economy.
