A violent protest erupted in Buenos Aires on Wednesday as leftist political organizations and soccer fan gangs, known as Barras Bravas, clashed with law enforcement outside Argentina’s Congress. The unrest led to over 120 arrests, multiple injuries, and significant damage to public infrastructure.
Originally planned as a peaceful demonstration for pension rights, the protest quickly escalated as members of leftist factions and Barras Bravas groups engaged in violent acts. Protesters reportedly broke sidewalks, threw debris at security forces, and set fire to garbage containers and barricades.
Law enforcement, including the Argentine Gendarmerie, responded with rubber bullets, tear gas, and hydrant trucks to disperse the crowd. The Argentine Security Ministry reported that 124 individuals—94 men and 30 women—were detained, with 26 police officers and 20 protesters injured. One officer sustained a gunshot wound and required surgery.
Security Minister Patricia Bullrich condemned the violence, labeling the detained individuals as part of criminal organizations. “With the new Anti-Mafia Law, the more than 100 detainees face sentences of up to 20 years in prison,” Bullrich stated. “The days of pressure, extortion, and the business of fear are over.”
Despite the arrests, Argentine judge Karina Andrade ordered the expedited release of 114 detainees, citing constitutional rights to protest and free expression.
Chief of Argentina’s Cabinet of Ministers, Guillermo Francos, denounced the protest as an attempt to destabilize the government, calling it “a kind of coup d’état.” Buenos Aires Chief of Government Jorge Macri added that more than half of those arrested had serious criminal records and vowed to pursue legal action against them.
The Argentine government remains firm in its stance against violent protests, emphasizing “zero tolerance” for criminal activity.
