BUENOS AIRES (voa) – Hundreds of irate Argentines have again staged noisy street protests across the nation to demand jobs and access to money in restricted bank accounts.
The latest demonstrations occurred Thursday, amid growing frustration over the country’s deepening economic crisis. In many cities, protesters set old tires on fire to block city streets and highways, while others held symbolic crucifixions to demand work and social benefits.
Demonstrators also are protesting banking restrictions on the amount of money they can withdraw from their accounts. Many Argentines, especially those of European descent, are seeking access to their money in order to escape the economic uncertainty by emigrating to their ancestral homelands.
Argentine authorities imposed the banking restrictions last month to prevent a massive flight of capital from the financially troubled nation, which is in its fourth year of recession and has $141 billion in debt. Tensions also remain high following a peso devaluation that led to price increases for imports and other basic goods.
In a related development, investigators are looking into whether banks operating in Argentina shipped money out of the country before the government imposed the banking restrictions. The Reuters news agency says police have raided the offices of least two foreign banks as part of their investigation.
Also Thursday, Argentina’s central bank president, Roque Maccarone, resigned, citing personal reasons. Local media reports say Mr. Maccarone stepped down because of differences of opinion with President Eduardo Duhalde over monetary policy.
The bank’s vice president, Mario Blejer, is expected to replace Mr. Maccarone. Mr. Blejer is a former official from the International Monetary Fund, which has granted Argentina a one-year reprieve on payment of a $933 million loan that was due Thursday.
