In Argentina, a massive protest seeks to reverse the sale of unlimited lands

Buenos Aires, Argentina – A massive protest took place on Tuesday, October 6 at the Argentine Palace of Justice, where hundreds of people gathered to protest the Supreme Court's ruling that allowed foreign investment in land without limits. The protest united the Argentine Workers’ Central (CTA), former Falklands/Malvinas veterans, opposition political parties, human rights groups, and self-organized individuals.

Protester Mara, a 30-year-old social worker, expressed concern about the impact on Argentine citizens, stating that the sale of land would make people tenant farmers on their own land. Jorge, a 70-year-old Falklands/Malvinas veteran, highlighted the potential devastation to indigenous peoples and the government's disregard for society's pain.

Government spokesman Adrian Ravier rejected the protesters' claims, arguing that the land sale would not affect Argentine sovereignty and would boost rural production. The protests began after Article 154 of Decree 70/2023, issued in December 2023, repealed Law 26.737, which limited foreign land purchases to 15%. In January 2024, the Center of ex-Combatants of the Malvinas Islands La Plata (CECIM) filed a judicial appeal, and the La Plata Court of Justice suspended the decree in March.

The Supreme Court has now reinstated the Land Law, putting Congress in the crosshairs as 122 lawmakers request a special session to overturn the decree and reinstate the law.