In Argentina’s 2023 presidential election, economist and television personality Javier Milei emerged as an unexpected victor, capturing national and international attention. Leading the far-right political movement La Libertad Avanza (Freedom Advances), Milei presents himself as an “anarcho-capitalist” and has campaigned on dismantling large portions of the state, abolishing the Central Bank, and privatizing public services. His rhetoric is overtly hostile toward gender equality initiatives, which he dismisses as “leftist agendas,” and he has repeatedly voiced opposition to abortion rights. Milei has drawn widespread criticism for his disparaging remarks about the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, an emblematic human rights group, and has expressed skepticism over the need for accountability for crimes committed during Argentina’s military dictatorship. These positions have placed him at odds with both domestic civil society and international human rights advocates.
During his two years in office, Milei’s economic and social policies have deeply shaken Argentina. His administration’s adherence to ultra-liberal economic reforms has left large portions of the population in poverty, while simultaneously undermining democratic norms. Public sector wages have been frozen, welfare programs eliminated, and the budgets for public health and education drastically reduced.
Among the most affected are retirees, students, healthcare workers, and low-income families. Funding cuts to public schools have led to resource shortages and staffing crises, while hospitals face severe medicine shortages and lack of personnel. Milei’s ideology—that the state merely generates ‘parasitic dependency’—has become the philosophical foundation of these austerity measures.
In September 2024, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child released a concerning report on Argentina’s children. It noted deep cuts to child welfare budgets and expressed alarm at the deterioration of living conditions for minors. According to the report, 57% of children live in households unable to meet their basic non-food needs, particularly in clothing and transportation.
A 2023 UNICEF survey further reported that around 10 million Argentine children were consuming less meat and dairy than the previous year due to economic hardship. Half of all households with children cannot afford basic nutrition, healthcare, and education. The country’s ongoing economic collapse is having a profound impact on the youngest and most vulnerable members of society.
Women’s rights groups have also come under attack. Government institutions dedicated to gender equality have been dismantled, and funding for women’s programs has been slashed. Anti-abortion narratives are increasingly encouraged, and the administration has sought to reframe feminist activism as ‘ideological propaganda’. Mass protests led by feminist organizations have become a regular sight across Argentina.
In foreign policy, Milei’s administration has abandoned Argentina’s traditional multilateralism. The country has aligned itself closely with the United States and Israel, a move that has drawn criticism, especially in the context of Argentina’s silence over civilian casualties in Gaza. This dramatic shift marks a break from Latin America’s historical commitment to human rights and non-alignment.
Yet despite mounting pressure, Argentine society has mobilized in opposition. Three nationwide general strikes have been organized, while public sector workers, students, retirees, and women’s rights activists continue to stage mass demonstrations. Corruption scandals, such as the high-profile ‘LIBRA’ cryptocurrency fraud case—which saw Milei publicly endorsing what was later exposed as a scam—have further eroded public trust.
Milei’s presidency has not only ushered in economic turmoil but also deepened political and cultural divisions in Argentine society. Still, millions of Argentines are showing resilience and resistance, defending democratic values and social justice. The future of Argentina may well depend on this continued civic engagement and the people’s enduring commitment to human dignity.
