Looters ransacked supermarkets in several Argentine cities last Friday, causing two deaths and evoking memories of widespread theft and riots that killed dozens during the country's worst economic crisis a decade ago.

Santa Fe Province Security Minister Raul Lamberto described the attacks on stores as simple acts of vandalism and not social protests.

Lamberto said two people were killed by a sharp object and gunfire after attacks on about 20 supermarkets in the cities of Rosario and Villa Gobernador Galvez.