A young man electrocuted while looting an appliance store in a rainstorm has become at least the fourth fatality in Argentina blamed on mob chaos inspired by striking police demanding higher pay.
More provinces are dealing with roving mobs of looters as officers confine themselves to stations just ahead of the December holidays, a time when simmering social conflicts tend to explode in the southern hemisphere's summer heat.
President Cristina Fernandez's Cabinet chief Jorge Capitanich blamed the crimes today on premeditated acts by groups who want to generate chaos and anxiety.
The government sent troops to hot spots where people are arming themselves in fear of mobs. In addition to the latest death, 25 people were injured in yesterday's violence in Concordia, capital of Entre Rios province.
