Argentina posts fiscal surplus after Milei’s budget cuts
International Monetary Fund estimates that Argentina’s economy contracted by 2.8% last year, but projects five percent growth in the coming two years.
Argentina’s Central Bank said payment intermediaries will have to enable debit card transactions in US currency by February 28, marking a key step in President Javier Milei’s pledge to dollarise the economy.
A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
by Dan Edwards (Disclaimer: The following column is full of unabated nostalgia and old-man-yells-at-cloud aimless ranting. When asked for an explanation, the author professed that it is very hot in Buenos Aires right now and that has him in a foul mood. For actual up-to-date information, please consult elsewhere in today's newspaper)
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
After two years of recession, President Javier Milei’s government will see approximately five percent in GDP this year, followed by a further 4.7 percent in 2026, predicts World Bank.
Dredging row
President Javier Milei faces scrutiny for unfairly favouring Belgium firm Jan de Nul NV in 30-year tender to dredge Paraná river.
LATIN AMERICA
Brazil's supreme court denied former president Jair Bolsonaro, under investigation for an alleged coup plot, from traveling to Donald Trump's inauguration next week.
Nine-month investigation ends with arrest of 24-year-old in General Roca; Argentina’s security minister claims that “terrorist represented a concrete threat to national security" and was planning major attacks across nation.
President Milei’s nominee for Supreme Court, Federal Judge Ariel Lijo, orders Human Rights Secretariat to safeguard sites and staff of 'Olimpo,' 'Club Atlético,' 'Automotores Orletti' and 'Virrey Cevallos' after request by City legislator Victoria Montenegro.
Monthly inflation continues to run near a four-year low, opening the door for first change to currency policy in more than a year.
Annual inflation nosedives in boost for Milei; Prices rose 2.7% last month, reports INDEC; Bureau’s data shows inflation fell almost 94 points year-on-year.
Nearly 900,000 porteños were considered poor in the third quarter of 2024, according to City Hall statistics bureau.
Pontiff expresses fears over disappearance of Loan Danilo Peña, the young boy who went missing in Corrientes seven months ago, noting hypothesis that child was “taken away to extract his organs for transplants.”
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Milei government accused of skewing auction to upgrade soy river
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Milei to join far-right leaders, tech moguls at Trump's inauguration
A decade on, prosecutors conclude Alberto Nisman was killed
Argentina's President Javier Milei will see in the New Year with two pivotal trips: a visit to Washington to attend Donald Trump's inauguration as US president and a second appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Rumour mill cranks into overdrive as talk of midterms showdown between president’s sister and former head of state in Buenos Aires Province ramps up; La Libertad Avanza Senator Sebastián Pareja and Lower House Speaker Martín Menem among those pushing for a Karina candidacy.
editorials
MEMORY LANE WITH FRANCIS
Argentine pontiff reminisces on a childhood spent eating pizza, walking the streets and getting up to no good in his Buenos Aires neighbourhood.
UNITED STATES
With the US presidential inauguration just days away, newly released special counsel report declares Donald Trump would have faced criminal charge if not for re-election.
Media Repression
Independent journalists face exile, arrest and disappearances under government led by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega.
Multiple wildfires fuelled by intense Santa Ana Winds are still burning across Los Angeles County while some containment has been achieved. At least 24 people have died and over 100,000 people are still under evacuation orders.
Landslides caused by torrential rains in southeast Brazil have destroyed homes and left at least 10 people dead as rescue efforts continue.
Critics warn of "Nicaragua-isation of Venezuela," with "no space at all for any kind of dissent."
María Corina Machado has become the face of Venezuela's opposition after being barred from challenging sitting-president Nicolás Maduro in last year's elections.
Ex-post evaluation paints a grim picture of Argentina’s latest IMF programme that began in March 2022. Staff detailed reckless policy decisions by the government of former president Alberto Fernández that derailed the programme and economy in the run-up to the 2023 presidential election.
Nicolás Maduro branded his Argentine counterpart Javier Milei a "Nazi, Zionist and social sadist" on Friday as he was sworn-in as Venezuela's leader for a third term.
Nicolás Maduro's inauguration on Friday for a third term as Venezuela's president drew widespread admonishment from countries that have accused him of stealing the July election.
A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
Scientists and academics warn the Milei administration wants to cut research funding across social and environmental sciences.
Ongoing tussle involving major dredging companies seeking to participate in Milei government's tender. Hidrovía Paraná-Paraguay is a naval highway for the trafficking of illicit drugs to the rest of the world.
Spending cuts in 2024 reached some five percent of Argentina's GDP. Is there room to repeat this feat?
Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in Friday for a third six-year term in office, dealing a blow to opposition's dream of change.
Prime suspect is 30-year-old nurse Brenda Agüero, accused of infanticide; Ex-provincial health minister, former hospital directors and healthcare professionals also facing trial.
The world experienced its hottest year in 2024 since records began, but in Uruguay, global warming was counteracted by bouts of "near-historic" cold.
Argentines are turning more optimistic about the future of their nation’s beleaguered economy.
