Buenos Aires, March 12 (LaPresse) – Serious clashes erupted in front of the Congress building in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Football fans and ultras were involved in violent confrontations with security forces. The gathering was originally called to accompany the usual Wednesday pensioners' march, but hooligans and militants took control at the front of the demonstration, blocking the road and clashing with law enforcement.
According to Argentine media, at least 31 people have been arrested. Six security officers were reported injured—three from the Federal Police and three from the Naval Prefecture. Authorities also seized firearms of the "tumbera" type, two 12-gauge shotgun cartridges, and a butcher’s knife. Property damage has also been reported, including overturned containers, burned police cars, and broken pavement slabs.
Argentine pensioners and football fans from various clubs clashed with police on Wednesday during a protest outside Congress in Buenos Aires, opposing the economic policies of President Javier Milei’s government. What began as a peaceful demonstration turned violent when police deployed water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets against protesters throwing stones.
For weeks, Buenos Aires pensioners have held weekly protests demanding higher pensions, citing a deteriorating standard of living. While previous demonstrations saw minor incidents, including tear gas used against the elderly, Wednesday’s protest was unprecedented in scale. Clashes escalated when a large group of Boca Juniors fans arrived, waving flags and chanting in support of the pensioners. Police formed a barricade to prevent their approach to Congress. Meanwhile, at the back, elderly protesters were pushed back by high-pressure water cannons fired from two armored vehicles near the legislative assembly.
In a rare show of unity, fans of Boca Juniors, River Plate, and other Argentine football clubs joined pensioners who gather outside Congress every Wednesday to protest government austerity measures. Surrounded by police, the demonstrators chanted, "Don't touch the elderly."