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    Retirement beneficiaries have been consistently meeting in Argentina's capital to demonstrate against reductions in their pensions that have ceased since the election of libertarian President Javier Milei at the end of 2023.
    Unhoped-for support surfaced from football supporters on Wednesday, following previous protests in Buenos Aires that resulted in injuries among senior citizens.
    A woman with white hair held up a shirt advertising, “Don’t hit us, we are your parents!”
    Behind her, supporters of Boca Juniors and Racing Club—two of Argentina’s foremost teams—along with fans of the local team Chacarita Juniors, stood in solidarity. It was Chacarita Juniors that originally launched the initiative for fans to join the retirees’ weekly protest that Wednesday.
    The football enthusiasts embraced a phrase from Argentine football legend Diego Maradona during their march—“How can I not defend retirees? You’d have to be a real coward to not defend retirees.”
    Milei has reduced pension payments as part of a movement to oversee government expenses aimed at curbing escalating inflation.
    However, the opposition asserts this is at the expense of Argentina’s most defenseless populations.
    “We support cleaning up public funds,” stated Senator Martin Lousteau of the center-left, in a post on X. “What we cannot permit is these measures to manifest through the distress, health neglect, and abandonment of our retirees.”
    Wednesday’s protest também concludió com <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/13/injuries-arrests-in-argentina-as-football-fans-retirees-clash-with-police">violence</a>, as Security Minister Patricia Bullrich issued a warning to the so-called “barra bravas” about enforcing law and order.
    Police utilized water cannons and rubber bullets to disperse the thousands gathered outside Congress after some were observed throwing rocks and other objects. Bullsich stated that over 100 individuals were detained, and several sustained injuries.
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Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2025/3/13/football-diehards-and-argentinian-retirees-protest-pension-reform?traffic_source=rss