Left-wing groups criticize Milei’s economic policies as the IMF praises Argentina’s progress and financial stabilization efforts
Hundreds of people protested Monday outside the Casa Rosada (the seat of the executive branch) against the visit to Argentina by Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who met today with President Javier Milei.
Under the slogan “Unwelcome, Georgieva,” demonstrators organized by left-wing organizations and political parties to criticize what they described as the agency’s interference in Argentina’s economic policy.
The protesters carried flags and displayed signs reading “Out with the IMF” and “No to Foreign Debt Repayment,” and denounced the policies promoted by the organization, which they claimed have intensified austerity measures, the recession, and cuts in areas such as health care, education, services for people with disabilities, and public universities.
“Today, Chief Georgieva arrived to check whether, in addition to carrying out their political agenda, they are also fulfilling their economic duties of plundering and surrender,” wrote Myriam Bregman, a national deputy from the Left Front Unity (FIT-U), on her profile on the social media platform X.
Similarly, left-wing congressman Nicolás del Caño also stated on X: “The only ‘discipline’ practiced by Milei and the IMF is that of imposing austerity on working people to pay off the fraudulent debt owed to speculators who are friends of (Economy Minister Luis) Caputo.”
The demonstration took place as Georgieva held meetings with Caputo and later with Milei.
Following her meeting with the Minister of Economy, the IMF’s Managing Director highlighted the organization’s support for Argentina’s economic performance during a press conference.
“Argentina is in a much stronger position, and this is the result of the government’s hard work as well as the perseverance and sacrifice of the Argentine people,” he said.
Georgieva highlighted the “macroeconomic progress and financial stability” achieved since Milei took office, stated that the country “is on the right track,” assuring that “there will be no need for additional financing” from the agency.
The IMF chief’s visit will continue on Tuesday with a tour of Vaca Muerta, Argentina’s major unconventional hydrocarbon field, in the southwest of the country. The site contains the world’s second-largest reserve of unconventional natural gas and fourth-largest reserve of unconventional oil.
Argentina’s debt to the Fund currently stands at approximately $57,870 million, making the it the IMF’s largest debtor and accounting for 34.6% of the agency’s total outstanding loans.
