LivingInPatagonia.com

Farm Strike in Argentina

Written by Jamie

There is a current strike going on with the Argentine farmers. The main issue at hand is the raising of export taxes on such agricultural goods as soy beans, from 35% to 44%. The government changed this tax on March 11, without warning. The current administration believes that if they raise export taxes, it will give the growers more incentive to sell their product in Argentina at a lesser price. This is one example of the government trying to control inflation. They also site that the farmers costs are in pesos, but they are receiving dollars, euros, etc for their commodities.

As with everything, the Argentine’s are very passionate about their protesting. Within minutes of President Cristina’s speech, the people took to peaceful protest on the streets in big numbers.

This is reported to be the biggest demonstration since the crisis of 2001. Thousands of people, mostly around Buenos Aires and the other big cities, march in the streets, and bang pots and pans together. They are referred to as cacerolazos, or pot bangers.

Last night, the pro government protesters, referred to as piqueteros, joined in the mayhem, and started to protest against the protesters.

This article explains the current situation pretty well. One interesting thing about this protest is many middle class citizens are involved, which is not common in the history of Argentine protesting.

There are reports of some supermarkets in Buenos Aires having a shortage of beef and milk. According to our local paper, El Cordillerano, there has yet to be any affect in Bariloche.

Only time will tell how this plays out. As usual, both sides believe they are right, but at least they are communicating peacefully.

Vamos a ver.