Thousands of Argentines are currently on the streets throughout Argentina to protest against Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, over the funding cuts to the public universities. Since 1949, Argentina’s public universities have been tuition-free and maintained high academic decorum, producing 5 Nobel Prize laureates. Consequently, those protesting have stated that this decision from Milei is “undermining the foundations of higher education.”
Milei has served as the president of Argentina since 2023, and is commonly described politically as a right-wing populist and a libertarian. Nicknamed the “Chainsaw president,” Milei has taken actions to completely overhaul Argentina’s fiscal policies, including free-market reforms, deregulations, and massive government spending reductions. Although some indicators show improvement in the economy, such as disinflation, his reforms have also brought public backlash: public sector salaries have fallen sharply in real value, and unemployment and poverty still remain as concerns.
Among the government spending deductions is the cost of college. Much like his close ally and supporter, Donald Trump–the president of the US–Milei frequently attacks and denounces colleges as bastions of “woke” indoctrination. Although his reforms may seem radical, it is not entirely baseless; according to Milei, the public education fund was recklessly spent and caused corruption under the left-wing predecessors of his. This is partly true, as Argentina is historically known for its corruption in government to the point where the Financial Times notes corruption as something “ingrained” within Argentina. As an example, former President Cristina Fernandez was ordered by the court to pay $500 million for her corruption linked to diverting state funds to businessmen. Hence, Milei’s radical reforms against corruption were also a deciding factor in his popularity in the election back in 2023.
Nevertheless, it seems that his radical notions aren’t working as they used to. In just over a month, Milei’s approval rating has fallen from around 45% to 35%, and the trust in his administration has fallen by 12%. With thousands of people of all professions, including adults, students, businessmen, and families, crowding in the streets of downtown Buenos Aires for the slash in public universities, Milei’s political future is beginning to face uncertainty. The protests highlight a broader debate not only within Argentina, but around the world: during economic crises, should governments prioritize fiscal stability, or protect public education as a long-term investment of the country?
Works Cited
Al Jazeera, “Tens of Thousands Protest in Argentina over Milei University Cuts.” Al Jazeera, 13 May 2026, www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2026/5/13/tens-of-thousands-protest-in-argentina-over-milei-university-cuts.
Argentina Reports “Argentine Court Orders Seizure of $500m in Assets Linked to Former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.” Argentina Reports, 2026, www.argentinareports.com/argentine-court-orders-seizure-of-500m-in-assets-linked-to-former-president-cristina-fernandez-de-kirchner/4146/.
The Associated Press, “Thousands in Argentina Protest Milei’s University Cuts.” AP News, 2026, www.apnews.com/article/argentina-public-university-protest-javier-milei-trump-fefd70d3c16a603c8d693d44b9a84a14.
Financial Times “Argentina’s President Battered by Scandals.” Financial Times, 2026, www.ft.com/content/53011db7-5206-3246-a8da-819739d2de78.
