A growing hunger: Argentina’s soup kitchens battle Milei’s spending cuts
Al JazeeraFeb 26
Report: Argentina's Poverty Rate Rises to 52.9%
Above: A woman walks past signs with food prices in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires province, on Sept. 25, 2024. Image copyright: Luis Robayo/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
According to government data published Thursday, Argentina's poverty rate has increased from 41.7% in the second half of 2023 to 52.9% in the first half of 2024.
About 15.7M Argentinians now live below the poverty line. This comes as Pres. Javier Milei has implemented stringent austerity measures since December intended to address inflation and the nation's budget deficit.
The Spin
Narrative A
Due to Pres. Milei's radical reforms Argentina's economic woes have only intensified. The self-proclaimed anti-establishment, anarcho-capitalist president's drastic measures, aimed at slashing welfare and provincial funding, have exacerbated the country's dire financial situation. His aggressive approach and polarizing rhetoric have hampered his ability to implement meaningful change. Ultimately, the people of Argentina are left grappling with an increasingly bleak economic landscape.
Narrative B
Pres. Milei has tackled Argentina's economic woes head-on, implementing shock therapy reforms to slash government spending and reduce inflation. Despite skepticism and dire predictions, Argentina's economy has shown surprising growth, with a 2.3% year-over-year increase in gross domestic product and a cooling inflation rate. While critics feared deep recession and economic pain, early indicators suggest Milei's aggressive cuts might be yielding results.