Argentina: Minister interrupts student negotiations at Education Secretariat

Tensions escalated during a student protest at Palacio Pizzurno, where university students occupied the Secretariat of Education to demand funding and Progresar scholarships. During a meeting between students and Secretary of Education Carlos Torrendell, Human Capital Minister Sandra Pettovello reportedly intervened via telephone, ordering Torrendell to cease negotiations with the protesters.

Following the call, a Human Capital official arrived to remove Torrendell from his office, preventing him from continuing the dialogue. Students reported that the interaction was highly disruptive, noting that the Minister’s instructions were audible to those present.

Concurrently, political friction arose regarding Deputy Itai Hagman. While social media posts from government-aligned figures accused Hagman of occupying the public building, he clarified that he and colleague Lucía Cámpora were on the sidewalk attempting to negotiate a peaceful exit for students facing potential police repression. Critics suggest the focus on the deputy serves to divert attention from the unresolved university financing law.