unprecedented situation
Noise fills the metro carriages of Buenos Aires with a relentless clamor: squeaks, horns, voices, shouts, and music. Every journey seems to exceed what most would call an acceptable level of noise, averaging around ninety decibels and sometimes rising higher. In this city, Ricardo Gene, 79, a physician and retired teacher, does not usually ride the metro. Yet, hours earlier he stepped aboard to warn fellow passengers about the dangers linked to the election outcome he would rather see prevented. The recent political contest, with Javier Milei facing the Peronist Sergio Massa in a razor-thin race, has intensified public emotion. Milei’s proposals, including ending free university education, have elicited strong concerns among many riders and observers.
Elsa Lombardo, a sociologist and a survivor of the era of dictatorship, was among those who spoke out on the subway. Having lived through El Olimpo, a detention center used during the 1976-83 dictatorship, Lombardo participated in the historic 1985 trial of former commanders. Her subway intervention heightened the drama of the moment. She urged passengers to reject Milei at the ballot box on behalf of those who cannot speak, including the countless babies and families displaced by violence. Some riders offered silent support, embracing her as the scene unfolded. Recently, Anita Fernández, granddaughter of a company founder and a member of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, was also drawn into similar personal pleas. Her mother disappeared in 1977, a stark reminder of the era’s horrors, and another terror victim raised similar concerns on the train.
unprecedented situation
Martina Miravalles and her sister Luciana chose to address the passengers on line B. They reminded travelers that Milei aligns with figures who took hard stances in the past. One comparison drew solace to historical memory: Margaret Thatcher and the 1982 conflict over the Falkland Islands, when a British naval decision resulted in the loss of 323 Argentine service members. The sisters emphasized the responsibility to vote with the country and its vulnerable children in mind, urging the crowd to remember the broader implications come Sunday. In another car, a mother of three with disabilities spoke up about the potential loss of state support under Milei’s plans, urging restraint in the electoral choice.
“Some people speak about transportation while lacking the paper trail or flyers to deliver their message,” observed writer Maria Pía López. “But there is a voice that carries a story—testimonies of women who endured torture, of their children who need public health, and of doctors who witnessed the toll of repression. These voices remind us of a common life and the principle that if crimes are not acknowledged, they risk becoming state-sanctioned policy.”
fear of Milei and moral concerns
On the platform, fear of Milei is shouted, but the unease runs deeper than a single name. The vice president, Victoria Villarruel, is linked by family history to figures associated with past oppression and refused to swear to the democratic constitution. Her uncle, tied to the dictatorship, has connections to the Armed Forces. Villarruel has long advocated for actions by the military, including calls for the release of personnel convicted of serious human rights violations. Many observers worry that Milei’s victory could inaugurate a broader power shift, potentially replacing seasoned politicians with a military-aligned leadership. Critics have questioned whether Mauricio Macri, a former president and ally, aims to steer events behind the scenes to shape the outcome. One columnist even used an AI-generated image to illustrate a possible future scenario.
Under this strain, Macri’s role is debated: is he a behind-the-scenes puppeteer or simply a political ally facing a rapidly shifting landscape? The discussion reflects broader concerns about the balance of power and the future of democratic norms in the country.
military influence in government
In the days leading up to the election, Villarruel launched a distinctive campaign effort. Reports suggest that if Milei wins, she would scrutinize the political dynamics and the standing of governors and minority voices in Congress. Some speculate Milei might seek to place military personnel in key cabinet roles, emulating patterns seen in other countries. A retired colonel involved in military intelligence and linked to a foundation tied to past regimes has supported such ideas, sparking debate about civil-military boundaries and the protection of civilian institutions.
bullying the political left
Villarruel recently stepped into heated television debates with Peronist vice-presidential candidate Agustín Rossi. The discussion touched on figures with histories of human rights violations, and Villarruel signaled openness to reevaluating laws surrounding voluntary termination of pregnancy and the use of certain reform sites associated with past human rights abuses. Critics have voiced concern that the far-right agenda would rewrite historical memory, a concern echoed by the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo and their spokesperson Estela de Carlotto, who warned that attempts to erase history are dangerous. In the subway, Fernández reminded listeners of the stakes, recounting that Milei’s supporters have praised aggressive tactics, while some passengers reacted with silence or turned away. Others urged an enduring commitment to democracy and the protection of civil liberties, echoing a shared wish for stability and safety in the electoral process.