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World

Finger pointing in Argentina after riot police break up protests with tear gas, rubber bullets

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Police stand outside the government house during a protest by voters claiming fraud in the recent election for governor in Tucuman, Argentina, Monday, Aug. 24, 2015. The ruling party Frente Para la Victory’s candidate Juan Manzur won Sunday’s elections that were tarnished with allegations of malpractice and fraud. (Julio Pantoja/Infoto via AP) (The Associated Press)

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    Demonstrators bang pots to protest alleged fraud in the recent governorship election in Tucuman, Argentina, Monday, Aug. 24, 2015. The ruling party Frente Para la Victory’s candidate Juan Manzur won Sunday’s elections that were tarnished with allegations of malpractice and fraud. The sign reads in Spanish "Justice for my vote." (Julio Pantoja/Infoto via AP) (The Associated Press)

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    In this Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015 photo, a dog walks in a polling station after it was trashed by staunch supporters of various political parties during the provincial governorship election in San Pablo, Tucuman, Argentina. According to authorities, 40 ballot boxes were burned during an election in which the ruling party Frente Para la Victory’s candidate Juan Manzur was declared winner. (Bruno Cerimele/Infoto via AP) (The Associated Press)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – In a sign of increasing tension ahead of October elections, the top presidential candidates in Argentina and other government officials exchanged accusations on Tuesday after protests over alleged vote fraud in a northern province were broken up with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Cabinet chief Anibal Fernandez suggested that foreign elements from "up north" had organized the late Monday protests, which ended when police fired on people and forcefully removed them from the main square of San Miguel de Tucuman, about 807 miles (1,300 kilometers) north of Buenos Aires.

Mauricio Macri, the leading opposition candidate for October's presidential election, told reporters on Tuesday that it's impossible to say Sunday's gubernatorial election in Tucuman was clean when at least 40 ballot boxes had been burned.

"We can't say that this was a normal election," said Macri. "Burning a polling place in the 21st century is unacceptable."

Ruling party presidential candidate Daniel Scioli said that complaining protesters and politicians simply didn't want to accept that ruling party candidate Juan Manzur won the election. Scioli accused Macri of stirring up emotions.

"I understand (Macri) is in a presidential campaign but he has a responsibility," to project calm and respect voters' wishes.

According to results released Monday, Manzur won with 54 percent of the vote compared to 40 percent for Jose Cano, the closest contender.

Demonstrators claimed fraud in the provincial governor's race after several ballot boxes were burned in incidents that authorities have said were instigated by people of several political parties.

Cabinet chief Fernandez initially told reporters that he didn't know what happened in Tucuman because he "was sleeping" when the incident happened. Later in the day, he suggested that the skirmishes were "actions of the North that seek to delegitimize the elections" later this year.

Administration officials from the ruling party, in power since 2003, periodically complain of meddling by foreign countries.

Outgoing governor Jose Alperovich said police force was "excessive" and that prosecutors would investigate. He also promised to open "ballot box after ballot box" if a recount is necessary.