President Javier Milei’s government said it had identified several people involved in the violent acts recorded during a protest against labor reform and announced this Friday (13) that it had filed a formal complaint for terrorism with the Federal Court against these people.
According to information from the EFE agency, the accusation was formalized by the Ministry of National Security after the clashes that occurred on Wednesday (11) in front of the Argentine Congress, in Buenos Aires, which resulted in 71 arrests. The complaint fits the episodes into the country’s Anti-Terrorism Law, which provides for increased penalties when crimes are committed with the aim of “sowing terror” or pressuring decisions by public authorities.
The document presented by the Ministry of National Security maintains that the acts against labor reform – called by left-wing unions – were intended to “generate a scenario of terror among Argentine citizens” and attempt to “inhibit the functioning of Congress”.
According to the judicial text, the crimes of attacking the constitutional order and democratic life, resistance to authority, serious injuries and aggravated damages were also mentioned. The classification as terrorism allows for a broader federal investigation, with the possibility of more severe penalties and without the automatic granting of provisional release.
The Minister of National Security, Alejandra Monteoliva, stated this Thursday (12) that 12 security force agents were injured during the clashes, as a result of the protests. The ministry also released a document with photographs, names and identity numbers of around 20 people identified as involved in the episodes of violence.
Even under strong pressure from the acts, the Argentine Senate approved the labor reform. The project will now go to the Chamber of Deputies, and the Milei government hopes that the proposal will be ready for promulgation before March.
