[GeronL]

Interesting, so what set this looting off?

[JRandomFreeper]

Interesting, so what set this looting off?

It's a south american hellhole, they don't need a reason.

Sad part is, it's a very rich part of the world in natural resources. The only thing standing in the way of good people doing well is.... once again... government.

/johnny

[familyop]

"Interesting, so what set this looting off?"

That's a great question. I wonder if any of us have signed up for the WSJ "professional edition" and are able to read the rest of the article?

In most cases during or after government defaults, layoffs of higher income government employees, cuts in funding for government-linked businesses, cuts in pensions, etc., tend to precede such riots. Some people aren't accustomed to real work (e.g., technical, manufacturing,...), can't do anything real for themselves and throw tantrums when no longer among the elite.

[familyop]

"...in the Patagonian resort town of Bariloche..."

Might be a hint there. Looks like it may have happened in one of the tourist reserve utopias.

[Valpal1]

From the story:

Mrs. Kirchner's cabinet chief Juan Manuel Abal Medina accused Mr. Moyano's truckers union and other union bosses of organizing the latest looting this week.

"These are isolated incidents that are clearly organized and structured. In none of them did people seek food. They took televisions and drinks," he said.