In Argentina, Organized Groups Are Looting Stores for Food as Inflation Exceeds 100%

In Argentina, Organized Groups Are Looting Stores for Food as Inflation Exceeds 100%

Fabian Ommar

In the middle of August, large groups invaded and looted supermarkets and stores in the suburbs of the capital Buenos Aires and the provinces of Mendoza, Córdoba, Neuquén, and Río Negro. Though the situation has improved, I’ve been receiving direct reports from Argentinian locals saying attacks are still happening. As I write this post, more than 200 people, including minors, were arrested in more than 150 violent events.

“At least 20 people were arrested on Tuesday in Córdoba for the looting of at least 12 shops, provincial police said in a statement. In Mendoza, seven were detained, with unrest also reported in Neuquén. In the nation’s capital, Buenos Aires City, an attempt to loot shops in Barrio 1-11-14, Bajo Flores, on Monday night was prevented by residents.

Those incidents came less than 24 hours after a large group attempted to loot a supermarket in Río Cuarto, Córdoba Province. At least ten people were arrested for the incident, seven of whom are minors.” [source]

According to the authorities, the looting was organized and called for on social media by known groups. Indeed, former social union leader and presidential pre-candidate Raúl Castells said in an interview with a TV channel that “people are going after food, and we’re calling them to take everything they can to trade for food, but not to take money nor destroy property.”

The attacks brought back memories of 1989 and 2001 when the economy collapsed, and the population revolted during the governments of former presidents Raul Alfonsín and Fernando De La Rúa. Unlike those instances, though, this time, part of the population mobilized to stop the looters and defend commerce. Images of owners loading firearms and preparing to protect their stores circulated everywhere, too.

From bad to absolute hell

The context, however, is very similar: inflation is above 100%, one of the highest in the world, and 40% of the population lives in poverty (some say it’s even more than that). The government is desperate and running out of time and to unlock a US$44 billion credit deal negotiated with the IMF, it agreed on a 21% devaluation of the Peso, causing an immediate 30% rise in prices of… everything. The unofficial ‘blue dollar’ skyrocketed in the black market. According to analysts, the cost of living might reach two digits in the next months.

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