Protesters clash with police in Buenos Aires over private property bill

On Thursday, thousands of protesters gathered in Buenos Aires to voice their dissent against a private property bill championed by President Javier Milei. The demonstration, organized by trade unions, left-wing parties, and social organizations, quickly turned violent, spilling over into clashes with law enforcement outside Congress. The clashes resulted in injuries to both officers and protesters, with at least two police officers and one individual sustaining harm. Ten people were also apprehended during the unrest.

The bill, colloquially known as the 'Private Property Inviolability Law,' aimed to tighten restrictions on state expropriations, expedite evictions, and loosen regulations on rural land sales, particularly those affected by wildfires. However, the proposed provision that would have allowed for higher foreign ownership of rural land was eventually abandoned due to insufficient political support.

The government had initially wanted to eliminate all foreign ownership limits, but later settled for a 25-percent increase at the provincial level.

Protesters chanted slogans like "The homeland is not for sale," drawing attention to their concerns about the erosion of private property rights. Roxana Parapugna, a sociologist, expressed her disdain for the bill, stating that she wanted it to be defeated entirely. Carlos Miño, a pensioner, highlighted the bill's overall objective, alleging that it sought to "hand over our assets, our property, one way or another."

The demonstration took place despite heavy rain, showcasing the public's determination to resist the proposed legislation. Despite facing a hostile environment, including the use of rubber bullets and water cannons, demonstrators managed to disperse by around 8 pm local time. While sporadic confrontations continued nearby, the main demonstration was cleared out of the square outside Congress.

Nevertheless, additional sections of the bill continue to face criticism, including provisions strengthening protections against state expropriation and altering wildfire management laws.