Piquetero

The word piquetero is a neologism in the Spanish of Argentina. It comes from piquete (in English, "picket"), that is, its specific meaning as a standing or walking demonstration of protest in a significant spot.

A piquetero is a member of a political faction whose primary modus operandi is based in the piquete. The piquete is an action by which a group blocks a street with the purpose of demonstrating and calling attention over a particular issue or demand. The trend was initiated in Argentina in the mid-1990s, during the Administration of President Carlos Menem, soon becoming a frequent form of protest that still prevails on the South American socio-political scene. Seventy percent of the piqueteros are women, and some of their leaders are women too, like Milagro Sala from Jujuy.

The piqueteros organizations have also been criticized at times fierce from multiple sectors of society Argentina, accusing them of being associated with organized crime and demanding taking legal action against its manifestations acts contrary to the dictates of the Constitution Argentina which Article 14 states that must be guaranteed to every citizen the right to:

"... enter, remain in, travel in and out of Argentine territory".

And, in turn, according to art. 194 of the Penal Code, provides that:

"Whoever, without creating a situation endangering the community, prevent, hinder or delay the normal operation of transport by land, water or air or utilities communications, water supply, electricity or energy substances shall be punished with imprisonment three months to two years"

The piqueteros appeared first in June 1996 in the Patagonic town of Cutral-Có, province of Neuquén, when workers laid off by then state-owned oil company YPF blocked National Route 22. Like many other small towns throughout Argentina, Cutral-Có depended almost exclusively on the jobs provided by a single local company.

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