Argentina: Kirchner leads 199th anniversary of independence celebrations

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner lauded the Congress of Tucuman, which "gave independence to the country," during the celebrations marking the 199th anniversary of the independence of the nation, in the north-western province of Tucuman, Thursday. The Congress of Tucuman was the representative assembly that on July 9 1816 declared the independence of the United Provinces of South America - an early name for Argentina. The declaration followed the Argentine War of Independence in 1810, in which Argentines fought against forces loyal to the Spanish crown. Kirchner also took the opportunity to criticise opposition groups and their supposed "neo-liberal policies" which aim to dismantle her "inclusive project" which has benefited 40 million people, according to the president. This is set to be the last time Kirchner leads the independence anniversary celebrations as her presidency is set to end in October 2015.