Press Releases

Argentina’s president Christina Fernandez de Kirchner, wife of ex-president Nestor Kirchner and now the nation’s leader, has drawn many comparisons to now former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton throughout her political career. As a result of her popularity as first lady and later as an influential senator, Fernandez even earned the nickname “the Latin Hillary.” Similarly, as Clinton’s run for the nomination came to an end, Fernandez’s popularity has also spiraled downward, falling from 51 percent to 21 percent in the last two months and after only six months in office. Although scoffed at by government enthusiasts, this sharp decline can be directly linked to a building inflation crisis. Most recently, some of these problems have surfaced in the ongoing farmers’ strike that began with roadblocks to protest steep increases in export taxes and has since received substantial public support highlighted by nationwide demonstrations against the government. On June 4th, the farmers’ were joined by grain-transporters, who have been without work since the farmers’ strike began. The truckers’ counter-strike eventually triggered protests between the two. The heightened tension eventually led the farmers to postpone their strike on June 9th, deeming they had little choice. Although the majority of farmers have halted their protests against the government, some farmers remain on the picket lines as leaders warn that they will resume protests in a day or two if negotiations with the government show no development.

The farmers’ strike began in early March in response to increases in export tariffs on grain and meat from 33 to 44.1 percent, the highest in Argentine history. Protestors like farmer Roberto Bunge argue, “nowhere in the world are income taxes as high as they are in Argentina, and farmers are fed up” (New York Times, “Farmers Cut off Exports”, 9 May 2008). A week earlier the farmers temporarily halted the strikes when the president agreed to negotiations. She has since cancelled each scheduled meeting. Mario Llambias, head of the Argentine Rural Confederation, stated that the government’s refusal to hold dialogue has continuously forced the confederation to resume protests to increase pressure on the government.