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President Javier Milei announced sweeping initiatives Wednesday to transform Argentina\u2019s struggling economy, including easing government regulation and allowing privatization of state-run industries as a way to boost exports and investment.<\/p>\n
The right-wing libertarian announced the moves for South America\u2019s second biggest economy just hours after thousands of Argentines took to the streets of the capital to protest against austerity and deregulation actions taken last week by Milei<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n The demonstrations went off relatively peacefully, after a government warning against blocking streets.<\/p>\n Around the start of the protest, which drew thousands of marchers, police briefly scuffled with some demonstrators and two men were arrested. But the event concluded without widespread street blockages that have been frequent in past years.<\/p>\n \u201cThe goal is start on the road to rebuilding our country, return freedom and autonomy to individuals and start to transform the enormous amount of regulations that have blocked, stalled and stopped economic growth in our country,\u201d Milei said.<\/p>\n The approximately 300 changes would earmark many government companies for privatization, and loosen protections for renters, employees and shoppers.<\/p>\n After the announcement, people in some neighborhoods of Buenos Aires banged pots to show their disapproval. \u201cCacerolazos\u201d \u2014 noisy anti-government protests in which people bang casserole pots \u2014 have been symbolic in Argentina in recent years when people want to express their anger.<\/p>\n Milei\u2019s administration had said it will allow protests, but threatened to cut off public aid payments to anyone who blocks thoroughfares. Marchers were also forbidden to carry sticks, cover their faces or bring children to the protest.<\/p>\n Marchers set out toward Buenos Aires\u2019 iconic Plaza de Mayo, the scene of protests dating back to the country\u2019s 1970s dictatorship. Police struggled to keep demonstrators from taking over the entire boulevard, and in the end many kept to the sidewalks and filled about half the plaza.<\/p>\n Eduardo Belliboni, one of the march\u2019s organizers, said demonstrators faced \u201can enormous repressive apparatus.\u201d Belliboni\u2019s left-wing Polo Obrero group has a long history of leading street blockages.<\/p>\n Toward the end of the demonstration, organizers called on the country\u2019s trade unions to declare a general strike.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s was Milei\u2019s first test of how his administration would respond to demonstrations against economic shock measures<\/a><\/span>, which he says are needed to address Argentina\u2019s severe crisis.<\/p>\n\n\nUndeterred by the protest, Milei afterward announced the measures in a televised address to the nation.<\/div>\n\n