2013 police revolts in Argentina

The 2013 Police revolts in Argentina were a series of protests by provincial police demanding better pay and working conditions, which affected 21 of Argentina's 23 provinces.[1][2]

2013 police revolts in Argentina
Date3–13 December 2013
Location
 Argentina
Caused by
  • Wage claims by provincial police
Methods
StatusEnded
Parties to the civil conflict
Provincial police rebels
Looters

Provincial governments
Loyal police
Residents

Merchants
Casualties and losses
+ 18 deaths
+ 400 injuries

Some of the strike methods included neglect of duty and breaking into public buildings. Due to this situation, looting began to occur in some cities, Córdoba being the most affected,[3][4] followed by Tucumán.[5] The riots began on 3 December and ended ten days later.

Preceding industrial dispute

In 2013, an estimated Argentinean inflation rate of 25% had eroded police officer's salaries, which were not automatically inflation index-linked.[6] The wages paid by provincial governments, many of whom rely heavily upon the national government for funding, often failed to keep pace with the rapidly rising cost of living. Christmas-related pressure to buy gifts may have been one trigger for the unrest.[6]

The strike

The looting began on 3 December in Cordoba, Argentina’s second-largest city, when the provincial police force went on strike. More than 1,000 stores were robbed, hundreds of people were injured and one person was killed. Cordoba’s governor increased the police force’s basic salaries by 33%, which ended the disorder in Cordoba, but inspired police forces in other provinces.[6]

Forces in 20 of Argentina’s 24 provinces followed the example of their colleagues in Cordoba, inviting widespread robbery and violence. Opportunistic members of the public "broke through shop windows and wrenched open doors to load up wheelbarrows and horse-drawn carriages with food, clothing and furniture". By 11 December, most governors had settled with their police forces, offering salary raises of as much as 45%.[6] In many of these cases, lootings were carried out by organized criminals on motorcycles or by foot, who broke in different neighborhoods to steal anything they could find around them. They carried firearms and sticks, among other items.[7]

As a result of the numerous riots and looting in most districts, 18 deaths were recorded (although this is not an official figure)[8] and hundreds injured, especially due to armed clashes taking place in the Tucumán Province where the largest number of deaths (8) occurred,[9] followed by Chaco Province with 4, and Entre Ríos Province with 3.[1][10]

The Confederación Argentina de la Empresa and regional chambers of commerce estimated the losses at 568.450.000 Argentine pesos and 1.900 businesses were affected by looting.[11]

The only districts where no protests and looting were reported are the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Santa Cruz Province and Santiago del Estero Province.[1]

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See also

General:

References
  1. "Comenzó a ceder la tensión en el interior: los saqueos dejaron al menos 10 personas muertas" (in Spanish). Infobae. 11 December 2013.
  2. "Protesta policial en 17 provincias y ocho muertos" (in Spanish). Clarin. 10 December 2013.
  3. "Se extiende la rebelión policial y los saqueos en Argentina" (in Spanish). Univisión Noticias. 7 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  4. "Se extienden en el interior las rebeliones de fuerzas policiales". El Día (in Spanish). 7 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  5. "Tucumán: tras un saqueo se produjo una batalla campal en una distribuidora de Sancor" (in Spanish). Infobae. 10 December 2013.
  6. "Law and disorder". The Economist. 11 December 2013.
  7. "Tucumán: durante la madrugada hubo saqueos en casas pese al acuerdo" (in Spanish). Infobae. 11 December 2013.
  8. "Murió otro joven que había resultado herido durante los saqueos en Tucumán" (in Spanish). Clarín. 12 December 2013.
  9. "Tucumán: murió un joven herido durante los saqueos" (in Spanish). TN.com.ar. 12 December 2013.
  10. "Suman ocho los muertos durante los saqueos en distintos distritos del país". La Nación (in Spanish). 10 December 2013.
  11. "Advierten que 1900 comercios fueron afectados por los saqueos en 14 provincias". La Nación (in Spanish). 10 December 2013.
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