Protesters occupy Argentina capital Buenos Aires amid food crisis

Argentina’s economic crisis has seen the currency lose half its value, unemployment soar and the economy shrink

Demonstrators say rampant inflation – running at more than 54 per cent – has left many of the poorest struggling to buy food

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Protesters begin to occupy the Avenue Nueve de Julio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Published: 6:30pm, 12 Sep 2019Updated: 6:30pm, 12 Sep 2019

Several thousand protesters have been camping out in downtown Buenos Aires since Wednesday to demand Argentina declare a food emergency as the economic crisis deepened just weeks ahead of the presidential election.

The demonstrators, who plan to camp for 48 hours in the heart of the city, say rampant inflation has left many of the poorest Argentinians struggling to buy food.

“Argentina is devastated by inaction, hunger, and poverty, and we demand answers that live up to the situation,” organiser Eduardo Belliboni said. “We want social programmes, we want to increase allocations for existing programmes and increase food rations in schools,” he added.

Clashes broke out with police as demonstrators tried to block public transport networks.

Social organisations camp in the Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires. Photo: EPA

On Thursday, Argentinian lawmakers will consider a “food emergency” bill, presented by the opposition, that would allow more funds to be allocated to manage the increasingly desperate situation.

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