Buenos Aires
Strikes and protests: A one-day general strike brought Argentina to a near standstill last week, forcing banks to cease operations, airlines to ground flights, and soccer matches to be canceled. Thousands of union members marched through Buenos Aires to protest the soaring cost of food and utilities and the austerity policies of center-right President Mauricio Macri. In April, inflation hit 56 percent, among the highest in the world, while the economy has been shrinking. “Every day people are worse off,” said union leader Hugo Moyano. “It’s a disaster what’s happening.” This week, thousands of women took to the capital’s streets to demonstrate against the economic crisis and in favor of legalized abortion. A new bill to decriminalize the procedure has the support of President Macri’s ruling coalition.