Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Buenos Aires on Saturday to oppose President Javier Milei's controversial private‑property reform, a measure that would make ownership "inviolable" under the constitution. Police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds, sparking a wave of condemnation from opposition parties, trade unions and international observers.
Legislative push and setbacks
Milei’s libertarian administration, which came to power on a platform of sweeping economic liberalisation, has been seeking to overhaul Argentina’s property regime in an effort to attract investment and curb inflation. The proposed bill, dubbed the "Inviolability of Private Property" law, would give owners unprecedented protection against expropriation and tighten limits on state‑led land redistribution.
After a fierce debate in the Senate, the government withdrew several controversial clauses to secure a narrow majority, a manoeuvre described by Bloomberg as a “retreat further to pass the property bill amid backlash.” The revised text was approved on a Friday, but the concessions did not quell public anger.
Streets of Buenos Aires erupt
From the San Cayetano church to Plaza de Mayo, a coalition of social movements, labour unions and civic groups organised a march that drew several thousand participants, according to Infobae. The procession culminated in a mass at the San Cayetano shrine, where Buenos Aires Province Governor Axel Kicillof addressed the crowd, linking the Senate debate to broader concerns about Milei’s “authoritarian” turn.
Opposition figures also used the moment to criticise the president. Former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner offered no assistance, and Interior Minister Guillermo Villarruel rebuked Foreign Minister Facundo Quirno for defending Milei’s stance, echoing his earlier comment that the president’s “state” is a “new form of authoritarianism.”
Police response and international coverage
Law enforcement units surrounded protest routes with barricades, then fired tear‑gas canisters and activated high‑pressure water cannons, as reported by Al Jazeera, France 24 and The Times of India. Video footage circulated on social media showing demonstrators shielding their faces and journalists documenting the confrontations.
International media highlighted the episode as a litmus test for Milei’s reform agenda. DW.com and Reuters-style outlets framed the unrest as a “major blow” to the president’s economic plan, while Modern Ghana and TeleSUR English underscored the broader social backlash against the perceived erosion of public land rights.
"Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators," Al Jazeera reported.
Human‑rights groups warned that the heavy‑handed tactics could exacerbate tensions and undermine confidence in democratic institutions, a concern echoed by analysts who noted that Argentina’s fragile economy is already strained by record inflation and external debt pressures.
The property bill now faces a turbulent road ahead. While the Senate has cleared a softened version, opposition lawmakers have signalled they will continue to challenge the measure in the lower house, and further street protests appear likely. As Milei’s government grapples with mounting dissent, the outcome of the property reform could shape Argentina’s economic trajectory and its social contract for years to come.
