Scientists march against Milei's cuts wearing Albiceleste shirts
Hundreds of protesters gather in Buenos Aires to demand government restore funding for science and technology; Protesters say research system has deteriorated since President Milei took office. Leer más
On Wednesday, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Buenos Aires to voice their opposition to funding cuts proposed by Argentina's President Javier Milei. Wearing shirts adorned with the iconic Albiceleste colors of the national football team, the protesters aimed to draw a parallel between the nation's sporting triumph and the need to support its scientific endeavors.
The march followed Argentina's second-place finish in the 2026 World Cup, held less than a month earlier. Argentine head coach Lionel Scaloni and captain Lionel Messi had led the team to victory, culminating in a celebratory gathering at the iconic Obelisk. The protesters, echoing the spirit of that moment, sought to draw attention to the current crisis facing Argentina's scientific community.
Laura Suad, a 50-year-old research astronomer specializing in the Milky Way, addressed the crowd, stating, "We're wearing Argentina's shirt because during the World Cup we all came out here to the Obelisk to celebrate. Now, we're here to demand that the president fund science, technology, and universities." Protesters argued that the scientific system had been in a state of decline since Milei assumed office in December 2023.
They called for an extension of postdoctoral fellowships, confirmation of previously awarded positions, and a salary increase for researchers.
The scientific community's predicament was underscored by a sharp decline in funding. Between 2023 and 2026, the budget allocated to science and technology fell by 43 percent in real terms, while the sector's share of the overall budget also declined. Furthermore, salaries for researchers and support staff at the national scientific research council, CONICET, had lost 40.5 percent of their real value since November 2023, according to a recent report by Economía Política Ciencia (Science and Political Economy).
The protest drew support from various sectors, including political parties, trade unions, and pensioner organizations. The demonstration coincided with the departure of Darío Genua, who had headed the national Secretariat of Innovation, Science, and Technology. Twenty-four Nobel laureates and other prominent scientists had recently signed a letter to Milei, urging him to halt the proposed cuts.
Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
