20/06/2026 18:14 - Actualidad
Vista panorámica del Monumento Nacional a la Bandera en Rosario reinaugurado con iluminación moderna, miles de personas congregadas en el parque, banderas argentinas ondeando y el río Paraná de fondo en un día despejado de invierno
Rosario became the center of national attention this June 20, 2026, commemorating the 206th anniversary of Manuel Belgrano's death. The celebration combined a high-profile official ceremony with a massive popular festival, set against a backdrop of national government internal tensions.
President Javier Milei led the main ceremony accompanied by Governor Maximiliano Pullaro and Mayor Pablo Javkin. This was the first official event following the scandal involving Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni, who was also present despite a censure motion gathering 120 of the 129 required signatures in the Senate.
Vice President Victoria Villarruel confirmed her attendance despite not being on the official guest list. Sources close to the organization indicated she was considered "persona non grata" by the Casa Rosada protocol, creating an awkward scene in the official box.
Villarruel, who recently criticized Adorni by stating that "there is no one more at odds with Belgrano's values than him", attended at Governor Pullaro's invitation. The national government refused to assign her a seat among the 400 chairs reserved for authorities.
The ceremony took place at the National Flag Monument, which was reinaugurated on June 17, 2026 following an investment exceeding $4 billion. The works, which included a comprehensive restoration, were resumed by the province after being halted by the national government.
The monument's new mirador (viewpoint) was specially enabled for this event, offering panoramic views of the city and the Paraná River. Replicas of Belgrano and San Martín's pistols were also presented as part of the renewed historical collection.
Deployed Agents:
350
Santa Fe Police officers
Control Rings:
3
From 6 blocks of the Monument
Operation Start:
6:00
Hours on Saturday the 20th
The Secretary of Public Security, Omar Pereira, detailed that the deployment included motorcycles, drones, and Infantry personnel. Unions and social organizations called for a march from Plaza Pringles, which encountered police controls on its way to the Monument.
The day began at 10:00 with the flag-raising, anthems, and speeches from authorities. Milei administered a loyalty oath to a group of cadets, similar to his action in 2024. Around 3,000 fourth-grade students participated in the traditional Pledge of Loyalty.
Starting at noon, the popular festival began with two simultaneous stages:
Singer Abel Pintos arrived in Rosario on Friday and planted the one-millionth tree of the "For a Greener Latin America" campaign in the Bosque Alta en el Cielo, located within the National Flag Park. The artist, an ambassador for the John Deere initiative, highlighted the family-friendly nature of the day: "There will be many activities, and that's what I like the most. My concert will be the closing, but from very early on there will be many things happening for the whole family to enjoy".
Javier Milei: Reclaimed Belgrano as "Argentina's first economic liberal intellectual" and made a gesture towards his supporters' section.
Maximiliano Pullaro: "We Santafesinos are rebellious" and demanded greater national investment in productive infrastructure.
Pablo Javkin: Highlighted the recovery of security in Rosario: "Fear has changed sides".
ATE declared Milei "persona non grata" in Rosario.
June 20 commemorates the death of Manuel Belgrano in 1820, at age 50, in Buenos Aires. Belgrano created the flag on February 27, 1812 in Rosario, without authorization from the Triumvirate, and first raised it on the cliffs of the Paraná River.
The National Flag Monument was inaugurated on June 20, 1957 and has become the most important symbol of Rosario. Law 12.361 of 1938 established this date as an immovable national holiday.
Abel Pintos released the album "Alta en el Cielo" in 2023, featuring eight patriotic songs available for free on himnosargentinos.ar, with royalties donated to three Argentine public hospitals.
Sources: Rosario3, La Capital, Government of Santa Fe, official information.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
