Thousands of Argentines protest government economic policies

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Tens of thousands of Argentines are protesting against their government’s economic policies.

The “Federal March” that began four days ago in various regions of the country ends Friday in the streets of Argentina’s capital.

The demonstrators are demanding laws guaranteeing food, land and infrastructure projects for the poor.

Argentines continue to lose purchasing power to one of the world’s highest inflation rates. They have staged wide protests against increases in utility rates that have forced them to pay higher monthly bills and fueled rising consumer prices.

They’ve also criticized the government’s recent decision to seek help from the International Monetary Fund following a sharp drop in Argentina’s peso. Many blame the policies of the IMF for the country’s worst economic crisis in 2001.