Government files terrorism charges against labor reform protesters

The government filed a criminal report for terrorism charges against a group of people who protested against the labor reform while it was being debated in Congress on Wednesday. The security ministry released the names and photos of four men who took part in the incidents with security forces during the protest. At least 17 people have been identified so far, and it is unclear how many protesters the report includes. Attacking the National Congress and security forces is a serious crime against constitutional order, wrote presidential spokesman and Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni in an X post announcing the move. If you do it, you pay for it. The report was filed before the federal justice, based on a 2011 anti-terrorist law, which states those found guilty of spreading terror get aggravated convictions and longer sentences for what would normally be considered simple crimes, such as attacking security forces or property damage.  According to Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva, the damages and attacks were intentionally organized to destabilize institutional order and an act of terrorism, she said in an interview with Radio Mitre on Friday.  People with gasoline canisters and Molotov bombs in their backpacks. What is that called? That is extreme violence with the goal to destabilize, Moteoliva said. A Molotov bomb is a weapon, fully used with the intention not only to kill, but to create chaos, she added. Monteoliva specified that the ministry has identified 17 protesters so far and that there were over 70 arrests that day. Human rights organizations questioned the ferocity of the crackdown, which ended with many people injured by rubber bullets or affected by tear gas. Monteoliva, however, said the injured civilians were few and did not sustain serious injuries, while seven members of the security forces were hit by protesters. The Comisin Provincial por la Memoria (CPM) said in a statement that at least 31 people were arbitrarily arrested, 70 were momentarily held by police to verify their identities, and 562 people were assisted by volunteers working at health posts from the CPM and other organizations and left-wing political parties.