A piquetero is a member of a group that has blocked a street with the purpose of demonstrating and calling attention over a particular issue or demand. The word is a neologism in the Spanish of Argentina, coming from piquete (in English, "picket"), that is, its specific meaning as a standing or walking demonstration of protest in a significant spot.

The trend was initiated in Argentina in the mid-1990s, during the Administration of President Carlos Menem, soon becoming a frequent form of protest that still prevails on the South American socio-political scene. Seventy percent of the piqueteros are women, and some of their leaders are women too, like Milagro Sala from Jujuy.

The piqueteros organizations have also been fiercely criticized at times by multiple sectors of society Argentina, accusing them of being associated with organized crime and demanding taking legal action against its manifestations acts contrary to the dictates of the Constitution Argentina which Article 14 states that must be guaranteed to every citizen the right to:

"... enter, remain in, travel in and out of Argentine territory."

And, in turn, according to art. 194 of the Penal Code, provides that:

"Whoever, without creating a situation endangering the community, prevent, hinder or delay the normal operation of transport by land, water or air or utilities communications, water supply, electricity or energy substances shall be punished with imprisonment three months to two years"