Aviation Fuel Businessman Dresses as Clown to Protest Against Import Restrictions in Argentina

Extreme Conditions Demand Extreme Responses

In a bold act of protest, Ariel Pérez, the owner of Aerogálvez, donned a blue wig and clown nose, chaining himself at the entrance of the Argentinian Trade Office (Secretaría de Comercio). Pérez reported that his aviation fuel business has been operating at just 5% capacity for the past three months due to the government’s failure to approve import permits, a situation that threatens the company’s survival.

A Widespread Crisis

The government’s strict control over dollar access for imports has sparked widespread criticism, with many companies flagging an error in the official system that restricts their operations. The ongoing system error, known as “F24,” is a significant barrier to businesses, hindering their ability to make necessary purchases abroad.

«There are aerial work companies that are already being embargoed because they cannot transfer the funds to pay the installments of the agricultural airplanes they have purchased,» Perez denounced. «Since August 2022 we have been having this problem, asking the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) to intercede before the foreign trade authorities to unblock this, but we have had no answers,» he added.

In a letter sent to that agency to request its intervention, it was detailed that as of November 2 last year, the amounts committed by 11 companies totaled US$1,530,064.

He indicated that there are already companies with concrete risk of losing the planes. «Just imagine the anguish, the concern that this generates in the aeronautical community of aerial work.»

Call for Intervention