At least eight people have been killed during a wave of crime and looting in Argentina while local police have been on strike.
In Cordoba, where the wildcat strikes began, police have managed to negotiate a 50 percent pay rise. Officers in up to 17 other provinces are now refusing to work in the hope of achieving the same.
In the northern province of Tucuman, citizens protesting against the looting and calling for more protection were fired on by police with rubber bullets and tear gas.
The clashes and looting have tarnished the 30th anniversary of the restoration of democracy in Argentina. Opposition leaders have asked for Tuesday’s public festivities to be postponed.
President Cristina Fernández said the timing of the strikes was “no coincidence.”
She added provincial police forces had not been fully integrated in the democratic process in the same way as the military in the last 30 years. She accused police of wanting to “wear down the values of democracy”
