Rightwing president vowed to rescue country from years of ‘impoverishment’ – but for many the situation is desperate
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But Milei’s severe spending cuts have hit the poor hard. Statistics show that for the first half of this year,
almost 53% of Argentina’s 45 million people were living in poverty – a two-decade high – up from 41.7% in the second half of 2023. Some
18% of people were living in extreme poverty, while
more than six out of 10 of under-14s lived below the poverty line.
“The social reality is deteriorating by the day,” warned Myriam Bregman, a prominent socialist leader and former presidential candidate, predicting that the growing social drama would make the remaining three years of Milei’s term “convulsive”.
Maga on the River Plate as global populist right descends on Argentina
In Barrio Mugica, a poor community where support for Milei was strong last year, many lament the cost-cutting.
“A lot, lot, lot has changed this last year, for the worse. Milei has cut everything,” said Laila Gómez, 64. “The subsidies for gas have been cut, and food prices have increased rapidly. I’ve had to stop eating meat completely, and cut down on the
number of meals. Every time I go to the shops I buy less and less.”