Buenos Aires (EFE).- Argentine President Javier Milei was evacuated on Wednesday from a campaign event in Buenos Aires province after clashes erupted with opposition demonstrators who threw objects at his vehicle, forcing security forces to intervene.
The incident took place during a political rally in Lomas de Zamora, a traditional Peronist stronghold, where Milei was met by more protesters than supporters.
The demonstrators hurled stones, branches, and eggs at the president’s open truck, prompting police to shield him with riot gear before escorting him into an armored vehicle.
Milei was evacuated along with his sister and the Presidential Secretary-General, Karina Milei.
José Luis Espert, the ruling coalition’s main candidate for the upcoming presidential legislative elections, left the ruling coalition’s main candidate for the upcoming provincial legislative elections, left the scene on a motorcycle.
Local media reported at least three people injured and two arrests following clashes between rival groups of demonstrators.
Milei blames opposition for violence
After returning to the presidential residence in Olivos, Milei posted a photo with his sister and Espert on social media, writing: “In Olivos with ‘the profe’ José Luis Espert and ‘the boss’ Karina Milei after Lomas de Zamora, where the ‘kukas’ (Kirchnerists) with no ideas resorted once again to violence.”
Although Milei accused Kirchnerist supporters of organizing the protest, demonstrators included activists from several groups and unaffiliated citizens.
The president also used the incident to call for votes in the Sep. 7 provincial legislative elections and the Oct. 26 national parliamentary elections.
His party, La Libertad Avanza, described the rally as a “peaceful caravan,” claiming it was disrupted by “a group of Kirchnerist militants who tried to attack those expressing their support for ending the impoverishing Kirchnerist model.”
Govern condemns the attack
Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni called the episode “the clearest sign of the end of Kirchnerism,” labeling the demonstrators as “militants of the old politics, pure Kirchnerism, and a model of violence that only the cavemen of the past want.”
Meanwhile, Security Minister Patricia Bullrich condemned the aggression, accusing the opposition of orchestrating the confrontation.
“Kirchnerism organized an attack against the president in Lomas de Zamora, putting citizens and families at risk,” she said on social media. “These people, in their attempt to regain some power, sow violence and chaos. Kirchnerism Never Again.”
La Libertad Avanza defended Milei’s leadership, insisting that “cowardice and thuggery are part of a cornered model, but they cannot stop the strength of millions of Argentines who chose change and today support President Milei in building a free Argentina that has reduced poverty and inflation.”
The violent scenes underscore growing tensions ahead of Argentina’s legislative contests.
Buenos Aires province, the country’s most populous, will be a key battleground in both September’s local vote and October’s national elections. EFE
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