Buenos Aires Police Demand Salary Increases and Threaten Kicillof With a Sit-in

The province of Buenos Aires, under the disastrous management of the ultra-Kirchnerist Axel Kicillof, faces a new conflict with the local security forces.

Numerous Bonaerense police officers and their familiesprotested at Puente 12, La Matanza, to protest the 9% increase granted by Kicillof's government, as it is insufficient in a context marked by the lack of equipment and the serious wave of insecurity affecting the entire province.

During the protest, the officers publicly expressed their demands, which include a 100% salary increase, better working conditions, freedom to choose their health insurance, and free access to psychological assistance.

They also requested the reinstatement of officers sanctioned by the Kirchnerist government in previous protests and the end of reprisals against those who participated in the mobilization. However, the warning of a possible barracks lockdown caused the most concern in the provincial Ministry of Security. According to sources consulted by La Derecha Diario, in Ituzaingó 18 Bonaerense police officers were dismissed for supporting one of the peaceful protests.

The discontent within the police force is not new, but this time the demands were presented with a list of specific requirements. Among them are:

• Initial salary of $1,600,000 for newly graduated officers.
• Increase in overtime hours (known as "Cores").
• Retirement with 100% salary after 25 years of service.
• Provision of two complete sets of uniforms annually.
• Creation of housing plans and access to low-interest loans.

Additionally, the protesters pointed out that the base salary of an officer is currently 512 dollars (about $600,000 at the current exchange rate), a completely insufficient amount for those who risk their lives for good citizens, and it is not enough to cover the cost of living.

The provincial government's harassment and warnings of barracks lockdown

The day of protest by the police officers and their families proceeded without incidents or traffic disruptions, but the officers reported harassment by their superiors. They recounted that a police helicopter delayed its takeoff to generate strong gusts of wind, which caused the blowing away of signs and a tent they had set up at the site.

In their statement, the officers described their demands as "urgent and legitimate needs" and warned that if they did not receive concrete responses, they would take more drastic measures, such as barracks lockdown. This warning caused concern in Kicillof's Kirchnerist government, which has not yet issued official statements on the matter.

The Buenos Aires government faces a complex situation in terms of security. Amid a security crisis, the lack of dialogue with the police force and the increasing tension could lead to a larger-scale conflict if immediate solutions are not found.

Meanwhile, union activity is restricted within the security forces, limiting the officers' ability to negotiate salary and labor improvements. In this context, the protest by their families has become a key avenue to make their demands visible.