Mass Protests Erupt Across Argentina Over University Budget Cuts

Thousands of demonstrators marched through major cities across Argentina on Tuesday to protest deep spending cuts to public universities introduced by President Javier Milei’s government.

Large crowds gathered in the capital, Buenos Aires, where students, lecturers and education workers accused the government of weakening the country’s long-standing public education system through severe budget reductions and declining staff salaries.

Argentina’s tuition-free university system, established in 1949, has long been regarded as one of the country’s key public institutions. Protesters say funding shortages are now threatening university operations, research programmes and academic standards.

Although Congress approved legislation last year aimed at boosting university funding and adjusting salaries to match soaring inflation, the Milei administration has refused to enforce the measure and is challenging it in court.

The government argues the cuts are part of a broader economic reform programme designed to reduce public spending and tackle years of financial mismanagement. Milei has repeatedly criticised universities, accusing them of promoting “woke” ideology and excessive state dependency.

Unions representing university staff say lecturers’ real wages have fallen sharply since Milei took office in late 2023, with inflation continuing to erode purchasing power.

Government officials dismissed the demonstrations as politically motivated, insisting universities had already received compensation for increased operating costs. Protesters, however, say the support falls far short of what is needed to sustain the education sector.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share