Milei's policies are embodied in the "Omnibus Law," a bill that greatly downsizes government, deregulates the economy and greatly reduces the power of labor unions and workers. So far, it has further fueled inflation and increased poverty but may resolve some of the structural defects in Argentina that has resulted in one economic crisis after another for much of the country's modern history.
The strike was called by General Confederation of Labor (CGT) and is supported by a number of other trade unions and NGOs. Hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets to protest Milei's measures.
In response, the government Security Minister Patricia Bullrich has warned that her forces will deploy an anti-protest protocol, but did not elaborate. So, far the protests are peaceful and the government is not yet interfering.
Argentina's chronic problems can be blamed on both a corrupt ruling class that loots the nation in partnership with foreign criminal corporations and self-serving labor organizations and the sometimes overly entitled they serve. While the labor organizations of the working class can certainly help balance the power of the ruling class, the core of the nation that is needed for a functional state that serves all citizens is bruised in an endless tug-of-war.
Miliei is aligned with foreign criminal corporations and Israel's fascist bloc and his intent is to eliminate most of the core required for a functioning state and sell off state assets. This may eliminate the cancerous government rot but he has no intentions to regrow that core needed for a civil society at the federal level.
If state and local government do not step in to fill the void, Argentina will be in far worse shape than it was before Milei.
Argentina may be the subject of a grand experiment to see what happens when a nation's federal government is rapidly hollowed out, but the dark forces behind Milei should already know what happens from all the previous nations they have destroyed from within. More likely, Argentina is just being setup to be looted by the usual cadre of predatory billionaires and they have no interest in the ultimate outcome.
This is a good opportunity for Argentines to examine their culture and come together to reshape that culture so that it no longer manifests chaos and economic crisis. But, they probably won't and will just try to blame others for the reality they have created.