President Alberto Fernández responded Monday to criticism of the government’s inaction in the face of the advance of the fire in the province of Corrientes.
“Many are concerned to see what we did in Corrientes. We did everything in our power all weekend. And before too. And Corrientes draws the attention of all of Argentina, obviously, he has just experienced a tragedy. What is true is that we do not write Twitter for that, we do not advertise with it”, he introduced during an act in Santa Clara del Mar where a sports center was inaugurated.
And continued: “We do not advertise with it. But we have sent all our firefighters, we have sent all our hydrants, helicopters to try to put it out, all our brigade members”.
The fires in Corrientes devastated almost 10% of the province, were classified as a “catastrophe” and the losses are estimated at more than 20 billion pesos. Added to this is the terrible ecological and environmental damage caused to the Coast and the consequences suffered by the local fauna.
The President’s statements contrast with the statements of the local governor, Gustavo Valdés, who assures that the Executive Power ignored early warnings regarding the consequences that the drought might generate in the region. He also says that the assistance to combat the fire was delayed to such an extent that the relationship with the Minister of the Environment, Juan Cabandié, was broken.
Alberto Fernández also took advantage of the occasion to ensure that the principle of agreement with the International Monetary Fund does not provide for a reform of the Argentine pension system. Moreover, he promised that he will work to increase assets.
Both he and his Economy Minister, Martín Guzmán, promised that there will be no cuts for retirees, but they will review special regimes for diplomats and judges, an old intention of the Frente de Todos administration that had foundered along with the judicial reform.
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