Argentine students protest on campus over Milei’s austerity | Education News
Judge Fines Argentine Government for Failing to Fund Universities as Protests Turn Violent
By Teresa Bo, Reporting from Buenos Aires
October 16, 2026
Students at the University of Buenos Aires voiced their frustration on Friday, calling for an immediate end to austerity measures enacted by President Javier Milei. “This cannot go on!” students shouted during a gathering in the university’s central hall, adorned with banners condemning the recent spending cuts affecting public education.
The assembly, organized to announce an occupation of the university, reflects widespread concern among students and faculty regarding the potential long-term impacts of Milei’s austerity policies. Emphasizing the importance of free higher education, protestors highlighted their fears about the future of public universities across Argentina, which they describe as being at risk due to inadequate funding.
Emiliano Gato, a physics student participating in the protests, lamented the exodus of talented faculty members who are leaving for private institutions due to insufficient salaries. “Our best professors are leaving en masse,” Gato stated. “I dream of doing research and teaching at the public University of Buenos Aires. It’s a prestigious school. But now, with this austerity plan, I don’t know what will happen.”
Milei’s austerity measures, considered among the strictest in Argentina’s history, have sparked numerous protests. Since assuming office in 2023, Milei has implemented sweeping cuts by laying off thousands of state employees, shutting down ministries, and decreasing subsidies for government-funded programs. These initiatives were aimed at curbing rampant inflation, which has since decreased to around 2 percent monthly.
During a recent visit to Washington, Milei claimed the economy is experiencing significant growth, stating, “Argentina is growing at a remarkable pace. We have now recorded 27 consecutive months of sustained growth, and today the country is expanding at four times its historical rate.”
However, opposition leaders and many members of the public contend that the government’s actions are detrimental to vital social services, including public education, welfare programs, and pensions. Last year, Congress attempted to address these issues by overriding Milei’s vetoes to boost funding for public universities and declare a disability emergency. Nevertheless, the administration has blocked these initiatives, arguing that they lack a clear financing strategy.
In response to the government’s inaction, a federal judge has begun imposing daily fines of 100,000 pesos (approximately $70) for failing to comply with a financing law that mandates the restoration of university salaries and student scholarships lost to inflation.
Protestors took to the streets of Buenos Aires on Thursday to demand the government adhere to these funding requirements. The demonstration, initially intended to be peaceful, escalated into violence, resulting in clashes with law enforcement. Police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets as some participants threw rocks, leading to at least 25 arrests and several injuries among protesters and security personnel.
Maria Teresa de Jesus, a chemistry professor at the University of Buenos Aires, shared her struggles with living on a monthly salary of about $700. “I have come to this protest as a last resort. I am a professor. I love teaching and doing research. I shouldn’t be here,” she said. “Public education is crucial in this country. It makes education accessible to all, and the government is ignoring it.”
While many remain supportive of Milei’s economic strategy, hoping that the exploitation of the country’s natural resources will lead to improved living standards, discontent is growing among those who feel the administration is prioritizing the interests of a privileged few at the cost of essential public services.
