Student protests in Argentina were held to oppose President Javier Milei's austerity policies regarding education in the capital city, Buenos Aires. Thousands of students, university staff, union members, and opposition supporters gathered in front of Parliament, demanding the enactment of a law to fund universities.
Clashes Between Protesters and Police
While the gathering was largely peaceful, clashes did occur. Reports indicate that masked individuals threw stones at the police, resulting in at least eight officers being injured. According to Argentina's Ministry of National Security, around 25 people were also arrested during the clashes.
Read more: Kyun Haastet is optimistic about the new inflation report
Government Reactions and Legal Status
Security Minister, Alejandra Montiel, stated that the protesters are seeking to create chaos and do not consider the right to protest as a "right to commit violence." This is the fifth protest against Milei's government educational costs since he took office in 2023. A similar protest in May claimed participation from 1.5 million people.
Milei vetoed a law that was passed by Congress in 2025, which required the government to invest more in public universities. This law called for salary increases for staff based on the inflation rate until December 2023, as well as the restoration of scholarships and increased funding for university operations. However, Congress overturned Milei's veto, and several court rulings have ordered the government to release the budget, but the government has so far refrained from implementing these orders.
Milei, who was elected on promises to cut costs, justified his veto of this law by citing a lack of sufficient budget to increase expenses related to inflation. A government spokesperson stated that this law has been "suspended" due to legal actions by the government.
According to the National Economic Research Center of the University of Buenos Aires, public spending on universities decreased by 41 percent in real terms in the first half of 2026. Argentina's education system is recognized as one of the best in South America, and studying at public universities is free for students from across the region.
Read more: Pete Hegseth addressed the Army Convention amid leadership changes · Increase in student enrollment with unspecified ethnicity after Supreme Court ruling
