"He who blocks an essential service goes to prison": Jorge Macri's warning after the arrests of subway delegates for the subway strike

Buenos Aires City Chief Executive Jorge Macri issued a stern warning against union leaders who halted subway service, stating that anyone blocking essential services will face imprisonment. Speaking from Madrid during an official visit, Macri condemned the surprise strike that paralyzed all six subway lines and the premetro network early Tuesday morning. He posted on social media platform X that under his administration, judicial orders must be obeyed and mafia-style extortion will not be tolerated. Macri specifically referenced the detention of union delegate Claudio Dellecarbonara, sharing video footage of the arrest at a Line B station. He declared he would not allow individuals to ruin the lives of millions of passengers to protect their jobs while avoiding payment for labor. The service interruption began just before 10:00 a.m., affecting lines A, B, C, D, E, and H along with the premetro system. The walkout was called by the Association of Subway and Premetro Workers after police detained workers participating in a protest at the Juan Manuel de Rosas station, which serves as the terminus for Line B. During the demonstration, a worker opened emergency exit doors to allow commuters to pass through turnstiles without paying fares. Police intervened after the worker refused to cease the activity. According to city security secretary Maximiliano Pinero, prosecutors ordered the cessation of this irregular action. When the order was ignored, prosecutors authorized the detention of two delegates who allegedly hindered police operations. A third individual named Carrizo remained barricaded inside the station. City police arrested Dellecarbonara and fellow delegate Facundo Heredia. Both men were held at a facility in the Chacarita district pending further instructions from the prosecutor’s office. Union representative Nestor Segovia was also briefly detained but released minutes later. Government sources indicated that Segovia was notified of a case filed for resisting authority before being freed. The union had previously issued a statement on Monday evening protesting the presence of outsourced companies performing tasks that belong to regular employees. They described this practice as a clear violation of the collective bargaining agreement and an illegal hiring method intended to patch staffing shortages at the operator, Emova. The union declared itself in a state of alert. In response to the paralysis, the city government published resolutions ordering workers and concession-holding companies to guarantee at least fifty percent coverage of subway and premetro services. The union rejected these demands, linking the conflict to a labor sanction applied to one worker and a lack of dialogue with the concessionaire. They stated that service would remain suspended until the detained members regained their freedom. Passengers reported delays and difficulties completing commutes throughout the morning as tensions escalated between authorities, police, and workers. The dispute unfolds amid internal tension within the union, which holds internal elections scheduled for November 26. This vote marks the first leadership renewal since the death of historical union figure Roberto Pianelli. Three slates are set to compete in the upcoming election. Macri’s comments represent his first public reaction to the sudden halt in transit operations. He emphasized law and order, asserting that justice mandates must be fulfilled without exception. The standoff highlights friction over labor practices and service continuity in the capital’s underground transport network.