BUENOS AIRE (Reuters) – Thousands marched against President Alberto Fernandez in Buenos Aires Saturday. His policies to limit food inflation and contain prices have been criticized heavily by the agriculture sector.

Argentina is a top exporter of food in the world and this sector is crucial to Latin America’s third largest economy.

Protesters held Argentinian flags in their hands and drove tractors on a road near the Casa Rosada Presidential Palace in the capital. Farmer protests are rare in Buenos Aires. They usually have such demonstrations in the countryside.

Fernandez intervened in both the meat and grains sector. Fernandez once limited how much meat could be exported to ensure domestic demand was prioritized.

Protesters displayed signs that said: “We pay roads but get swamps instead” and “lower tax.”

The protestors also wrote a letter to government requesting a decrease in taxes. It was later read out at the demonstration and provided to the media.

“We have one simple request. We aren’t willing to pay the rope to choke us.” The letter said.

It was not organized or sponsored by any specific group.

Ex-President Mauricio Macri was a conservative. Taxes have continued to increase under Fernandez who is a leftist. On wheat and corn exports, a 12% tax is levied. This rises to 33% for soy flour and oil exports.

Argentina has been fighting high inflation for many years. In 2021, it was hovering around 50%. Food policy is a delicate issue for the government.

Fernandez finally relaxed the limits on meat exports in 2005, as farmers protested.