Deadly wave of looting hits Argentina

Looters have broken into supermarkets in several Argentine cities, leaving at least two people dead in the ensuing chaos and stirring memories of the country's devastating economic crisis 11 years ago.

The government and labour unions blamed each other for the Thursday and Friday violence, which came amid a growing wave of anger with President Cristina Kirchner's administration over rising crime and economic uncertainty.

"There are elements in Argentina that want to provoke havoc and violence and stain our holiday season with blood," national security secretary Sergio Berni said.

"Argentina is not the same as it was in 2001," he said, referring to the economic turmoil the South American nation went through.

Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to stop dozens of stone-throwing youths from looting a supermarket owned by French retailer Carrefour near the capital Buenos Aires, a day after the unrest erupted in the Patagonian ski resort of Bariloche.

Violence spreads

Government officials condemned the violence and sent 400 military police to the southern city, where raiders stormed another supermarket owned by the local unit of Wal-Mart. Looters made off with flat-screen televisions and other goods.



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