Argentina

Buenos Aires, October 18, 2026. The Argentine press is dedicating its pages to Emmanuel Macron's televised speech, delivered Sunday evening after Saturday's day of mobilization against the high cost of living on October 17. La Nación (AFP dispatch) highlights the phrase "Nada justifica la violencia" and the attribution of the violence to "radicales de la extrema izquierda". Perfil quotes the formula "Nada lo justifica, nada lo explica, nada lo excusa" and the president's "rabia y vergüenza".

The tolls vary depending on the headlines. Ámbito reports 1,800 arrests, including 855 in Paris, and 550,000 protesters according to the Ministry of the Interior, compared to more than 800,000 according to the organizers. La Nación, according to AFP, mentions nearly 2,400 people arrested and 1,000 police officers injured, then "more than 2,000" detainees in another text. Infobae relays the count from TF1 and LCI: 270 looted businesses. The fire at the city hall of Limoges, whose dome collapsed, is detailed by Ámbito, with the words of Mayor Guillaume Guérin: "No hay palabras para condenar lo que ha ocurrido".

The repressive aspect takes center stage. Infobae quotes Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, who has asked prosecutors for an "extremadamente firme" judicial response and provisional detention for those who attacked police, firefighters, and public buildings. Ámbito headlines the possibility of banning gatherings and reiterates Macron's phrase about those who wanted to "derribar la República". La Nación notes that prefects will be able to make protection decisions and that the president promises "total transparencia".

The political dimension is evident: La Nación emphasizes that Macron is speaking "bajo la presión de una clase política que ya se encuentra en plena campaña presidencial", and that the government and the far right accuse La France insoumise of Jean-Luc Mélenchon of fueling the violence. Perfil specifies that the president deemed the demands for the cost of living "légitimes", without announcing any measures, and promised "ayudas rápidas" to merchants and artisans.

The economic context is recalled by Perfil: a cumulative inflation of 20% mentioned around the protests and the rise in fuel prices since the start of the war in the Middle East. Clarín and Ámbito broaden the focus to Europe, with the clashes in Milan, which, according to Clarín, recall the French scenes.