Argentines protest as tensions mount in farm dispute
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Thousands of Argentines took to the streets on Monday to protest against the government's handling of a tense three-month standoff with farmers over export taxes.
Chanting "Argentina!" as passing drivers honked horns, protesters gathered in several Buenos Aires neighborhoods after a close ally of President Cristina Fernandez accused farmers and political rivals of plotting to topple her administration.
"I'm here for social peace because I want them to stop lying to us," said Ines, 45, in the middle-class district of Caballito as demonstrators waved the blue-and-white national flag and banged pots and pans.
Similar scenes played out in other cities in the South American country, one of the world's top exporters of soy, corn, wheat and beef.
Even though it was a national holiday, farmers in rural areas continued to block roads so that trucks carrying grains could not reach port as the conflict over taxes on soy shipments dragged on.
Violence flared at a highway blockade near the town of Gualeguaychu on Saturday after military police used batons to clear the road and arrested a prominent farm leader.
The unrest led farmers to announce a fresh freeze on grain sales until Wednesday, when pro-government groups plan to rally in front of the presidential palace.
Farm leaders have vowed to stage "a day of protest" the same day, setting the stage for further tension in an increasingly bitter conflict that has eroded Fernandez's popularity and raised fears about an economic slowdown.
Controversial government ally and former official Luis D'Elia said farmers and rival politicians were conspiring to oust the center-left president by weakening the economy.
"We're witnessing an economic coup attempt," D'Elia, who has been involved in several scuffles during the conflict, told a news conference.
Fernandez, who took office six months ago, has also likened the farmers to coup leaders, invoking memories of decades of political instability in the country.
Close to midnight, D'Elia led government supporters who gathered in front of the presidential palace and he played down the street protests.
"The upper classes were the focus of it," he said.
COLLISION COURSE
Argentina's fertile Pampas plains are an important international source of grains and the country accounts for nearly 3 percent of global food exports. Continued...
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