President Javier Milei’s austerity measures have ignited a political firestorm in Argentina, with public universities facing severe budget cuts and protesters taking to the streets.
The elite University of Buenos Aires (UBA), renowned for its intellectual tradition and accessibility, has become a focal point of the crisis. Last week, halls went dark, elevators froze, and air conditioning halted due to unpaid electricity bills. Professors have been forced to conduct lectures without basic equipment, leaving students and faculty alike in dismay.
“This is an unthinkable crisis,” protested Valeria Añón, a literature professor at UBA. “I feel so sad for my students and for myself.” UBA, which has produced five Nobel laureates and 17 presidents, is facing a 61% annual budget cut when adjusted for inflation, despite receiving only 8.9% of its total budget from the state this fiscal year.
Milei, who has accused his political adversaries of fomenting discontent through brainwashing in public universities, has argued that the cuts are necessary to reduce overspending and international debt. However, critics argue that they also aim to increase efficiency and transparency.
Thousands of students, professors, and union members joined protests in Buenos Aires and other cities on Tuesday, demanding an end to the cuts. “The university will defend itself!” students chanted. “We are trying to show the government it cannot take away our right to education,” said Santiago Ciraolo, a student protesting.
The crisis has further exposed the ideological divide in Argentina, with accusations of socialism and left-wing indoctrination flying from Milei’s side. The government has promised some funding to public universities but authorities remain skeptical, highlighting that the transfer covers only a fraction of their needs.
Staff salaries, already low at around $150 a month, have declined in value by over 35% in recent months, forcing many teachers to take on multiple jobs to survive. UBA’s treasury secretary, Matias Ruiz, worries about the impact on academic activities and research under these conditions.
The protests and the government’s precarious economic balancing act played out in stark contrast on Tuesday, as Milei boasted of a quarterly fiscal surplus from his presidential palace while protesters filled the streets below. The outcome of this political battle remains uncertain, with the future of quality public education in Argentina hanging in the balance.
