Violent social outbursts are not new in Latin America. Terms such as ‘Bogotazo’ or ‘Caracazo’ –social turmoil contributing to create the political scenario that put Hugo Chávez in power in Venezuela- are remembered as events of strong political and social conflict.

In the Argentine history many resounding social riots and conflicts have also taken place.

The summer of 1919 experienced the so-called ‘Tragic Week’. Hipólito Yrigoyen was in midway of his first term when the Federal Capital was struck by protracted strikes, police repression with victims, violence and repression at the burial of activist workers and a chain of violent events where workers’ protests and anarchist militants converged to fuel a serious outburst where many police stations and public buildings were besieged. Hundreds of victims were reported and the President called on the Army to restore order. The II Division based in Campo de Mayo marched on the Federal Capital upon the orders of General Luis Dellepianne and restored the situation through rigid measures. Later, new workers’ protests in Patagonia provoked severe repression by the Army forces sent by the President.

Half a century later, in May 1969 under the de facto rule of General Juan Carlos Onganía violent riots known as ‘Cordobazo’ took place in Cordoba province. Authoritarianism converged with protests by skilled workers, students and activists. Riots escalated in the capital of the province as the toll of victims and injured rose. The troops of the Army’s IV Airborne Infantry Brigade repressed and restored peace through strong measures. But the ‘Cordobazo’ was a landmark and to some extent marked the beginning of the most violent decade in Argentina which was the ‘70s.

Twenty years later, hyperinflation-triggered lootings took place. They were of strong social nature with less political and ideological hues than the previous riots and responded to a new social reality, that was the emergence of an important segment of society who were excluded from the formal system, informal workers and underemployed, who drowned in the whirlpool of hyperinflation, were deprived from consuming food. From May 16 to July 9 some 676 lootings took place in 52 days. Alfonsín declared state of siege without summoning the Armed Forces and peace was restored when Menem took office five months before schedule. Lootings were carried out though at a lower frequency in early 1990 (a total of 95 took place) during the hyperinflation experienced on the outset of Menem’s administration.

Today, more than a decade later, widespread lootings are hitting the Argentine society. Restrictions on deposits cause a steep drop in 60% of the income of people excluded from the formal system in times when unemployment reaches the unprecedented rate of almost 20% and the country is engulfed in a three and a half year recession. The cap on cash withdrawals underscores the food scarcity of the poor. From December 13 to 20 some 461 lootings took place highly outnumbering the 1989 figure. Now, comparing to that time, today unemployment has increased by over two folds and social violence and crime have soared considerably thus turning the situation more critical. As in previous cases, the President has declared state of siege.

The current social violence is not the first to happen in Argentina but takes place within the framework of a serious political and economic crisis which from now on may be fueled by the social crisis if the Argentine leadership fails to act quickly, efficiently and in a responsible manner as the present time requires.