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Argentines march against IMF ahead of Buenos Aires G20 summit

People protest against IMF in the framework of the meeting of Group of 20 finance ministers in Buenos Aires, on July 20, 2018. (Photo by AFP)

Thousands of people have rallied in the Argentinean capital Buenos Aires to protest against a visit by head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde.

Protesters marched on the streets to the Argentine Ministry of Social Development to deliver a symbolic letter of protest to Lagarde, who arrived in the capital Friday prior to a meeting of G20 finance ministers this weekend.

Shouting anti-IMF slogans and walking behind a banner that read "Against Hunger and Adjustment," the demonstrators blasted a deal signed between the US-based organization and Argentina back in May, which secured a $50 billion credit line to the financially-troubled South American country.

Demonstrators attend a protest against President Mauricio Macri's government agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) outside Argentina's Central Bank in Buenos Aires' financial district, Argentina, July 20, 2018. (Photo by Reuters)

The government said the loan sought to provide a “safety net” and would avoid the frequent crises that had thrown the Argentinean economy into disarray in the past.

The deal faced backlash by many who viewed the IMF-imposed austerity measures as responsible for the country's financial downfall in 2001 and 2002.

"These disastrous neoliberal policies implemented by International Monetary Fund in 90's led us to misery, hunger, and the despair of our people," said General Secretary of Workers' Union Walter Correa addressing the protesters.

Christine Lagarde (2nd Left), Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), sits alongside Argentina's Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie (to her right), Argentina's President Mauricio Macri and First Lady Juliana Awada, Cabinet Chief Marcos Pena (R), Central Bank President Luis Caputo (L, back) and Treasury Minister Nicolas Dujovne during an official dinner at the Olivos Presidential Residence in Buenos Aires, Argentina July 20, 2018. (Photo by Reuters)

On Friday, Lagarde met with Argentinean President Mauricio Macri and the country's Central Bank head Luis Caputo, among other officials, in Buenos Aires, where they reportedly discussed economic reforms in the Latin American country.

Turning to the IMF is a politically risky move for business friendly Macri who was elected in late 2015 after 12 years of leftist government. 


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