Argentine farmers strike against government

Tensions rose during the third day of strikes by farmers upset with the government over export tariffs.

Over 100 roadblocks have been set up all over Argentina while striking farmers have impeded the sales of grain, oilseeds and cattle. A few agrarian leaders denounced threats against them and a few skirmishes have taken place at some roadblocks. Labor leaders said that the strike will continue for seven days and also accused the government of President Cristina Kirchner of raising tensions.

Kirchner has staunchly defended the tariff plan where revenue from the taxes would be destined for an emergency fund to the country’s most impoverished provinces. For her, it’s a necessary step to help the country’s poorest people to combat a weakening economy though farmers claim that the measures will choke Argentina’s agrarian sector.

Argentines hope that the consequences from last year’s strikes don’t repeat themselves when massive food shortages happened nationwide. Sadly, Argentines may have to brace themselves for the worse:

Farm leaders have said they plan to keep meeting with government officials in talks that have centered on drought relief, domestic wheat prices, and beef and dairy exports.

But La Nacion daily newspaper on Sunday quoted an unnamed, high-level government official saying the talks would be suspended as long as the farmers are on strike.

"There's a perceivable and disturbing climate of hate emanating from those who govern and from the farm sector as well," respected political commentator Joaquin Morales Sola wrote in La Nacion.

Image- BBC News
Online Sources- AFP, ABC Rural, AP, TVNZ, Guardian UK, The Latin Americanist, La Nacion, Clarin