Thousands march in Argentina to protest government’s deal with IMF

By Muhammed Emin Canik

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AA) – Thousands of people took to the streets of Argentina’s capital Tuesday to protest against the government’s recent debt deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Answering a call by leftist political and social organizations, they gathered in Buenos Aires and marched from the city center to Plaza de Mayo, where the presidential palace is located.

Chanting anti-IMF slogans, the protestors demanded that the government cut ties with the Washington, D.C.-headquartered international financial institution.

On Jan. 28, Argentina announced that it had reached an initial agreement with the IMF worth $44.5 billion as part of efforts to stabilize its economy and refinance an existing loan with the fund.

Accordingly, the country pledged to gradually reduce its fiscal deficit and cut the central bank’s financing of the treasury as part of an economic program discussed with the IMF.