Creating a New Blumberg

With its attack on farmers, the government has once again generated the proper atmosphere for the emergence of what I like to call "situational leaders". Juan Carlos Blumberg, the father of a kidnapped and murdered teenager, became the flagship of the fight that society led against insecurity during Nestor Kirchner's government.

Alfredo de Angelis, a rural director for the Argentine Agricultural Federation (FAA), has jumped to stardom due to the government conflict with his sector. He was quite outspoken about another lockout once the fragile negotiation period with the government is over, and the want to see him behind bars. He says that his powers that be. He says that the campo put him where he is, much like Blumberg blamed his stardom on his son's murder - quite regretfully. De Angeli has been defended by the opposing parties, who are trying to avoid the conflict from turning more sour than it currently is.

The main issue is that the government, with its unpopular measures, in a way has set the stage for the emergence of these accidental heroes. Blumberg came onto the scene a few years ago promising he would not run for office, even though he was courted and enticed by many, and was successful for as long as he stayed independent, representing a claim society considered genuine and truthful. He had the credibility the government lacked and showed the frustration and pain only someone who has been there could. As soon as he accepted a candidacy, he was doomed; his fake engineer title was investigated and he was ridiculized publicly for not being what he said he was. His credibility was lost and so was his appeal to the masses.

De Angelis' appearance is quite different: he appears in an already heavily politicized environment and was outwardly attacked by the ruling party. He is being victimized and could be a possible scapegoat for the failure to properly address the export tax conflict. His protagonism could turn to shreds in the upcoming days or - if the government gets its way - his incarceration could be seen as the martyrdom needed to truly become a political actor in the rural scene (as well as in the union scene, where he already has his place).

Be it how it may, the government has once again planted the seeds of its undoing. By heavily antagonizing a large sector of society and miscalculating the popular reaction to its measures, it has allowed figure as De Angelis and Blumberg to steal protagonism, even if it may only be for their 15 minutes of fame.

The headache for the government for sure will last longer than that.