On Monday, workers at Argentine ports began an indefinite strike in protest against a decree issued by far-right President Javier Milei that affects the movement of export cargo vessels at the country’s ports. The vessels cannot enter the ports because of a protest by harbor pilots, captains with expertise in specific ports and waterways who board ships to guide the vessel’s captain through those difficult areas. The harbor pilots decided to suspend their services in opposition to a decree through which Milei imposed a new pilotage system purportedly to “reduce costs and improve the competitiveness” of foreign trade. The new system, promoted by Deregulation and State Transformation Minister Federico Sturzenegger, allows foreign captains and professionals to provide pilotage services and establishes maximum rates. pic.twitter.com/RH5maXHLNr — Patrick (@quickndg) August 4, 2026The harbor pilots are independent professionals who are organized but not under a labor union structure, preventing the Argentine government from ordering mandatory conciliation in the dispute.