Javier Milei withdraws land law after protests featuring Lisandro Martínez

President Javier Milei’s proposal to relax limits on foreign ownership of Argentine land – known as the “foreignisation of lands” bill – faced massive public opposition in early August 2026. The draft would have raised the cap on foreign‑held rural property from 15 % to 25 % of each province’s total area and, in its original form, sought to remove all restrictions.

Thousands of Argentines marched in Buenos Aires, many carrying the slogan “Las Malvinas son argentinas.” Football defender Lisandro Martínez amplified the protest on social media, posting “¡Las tierras argentinas no se venden!” and urging citizens to gather in front of the Congress on 6 August. Other politicians, artists and environmentalists joined the demonstrations.

Under pressure from the protests and lacking Senate support, Milei’s government withdrew the bill from the scheduled vote. A separate measure allowing the sale of protected areas affected by forest fires remains under consideration.