#1 Argentina’s economy expanded faster than expected in October Argentina’s economy expanded more than expected in October, according to official data.
#2 US deports co-founder of Pablo Escobar's Medellín Cartel to Colombia Fabio Ochoa Vásquez, founder of the Medellín Cartel, is deported to Colombia after serving over 20 years in a US prison for drug-trafficking.
#3 At least one dead and 16 missing after bridge collapse in Brazil One person has died and 16 are missing following the collapse of a bridge between Maranhão and Tocantins. President Lula promises federal support for rescue operations and an investigation.
#4 Five key points about the Panama Canal, now in Trump's sights President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to reclaim control of the Panama Canal unless toll prices for US ships are reduced, but local authorities rejects his claim.
#5 Ecuadorean adolescents still missing as search efforts increase President Daniel Noboa orders intensified search for four boys as public outrage grows ahead of elections. Military officials deny involvement.
#6 Initial results from Milei’s ‘exam’ for state workers show 96% pass rate Although only 10% of state workers have taken the Milei administration’s new test to date, the good results have led their ATE union to demand employees’ transfer to permanent employment, while calling for ministers, secretaries and directors to be similarly evaluated.
#7 Milei vows to promote nuclear energy in Argentina President vows to install nuclear reactors to power artificial intelligence servers across Argentina.
#8 Milei, Reagan and the 20% enemy rule President Milei seems to be inverting Ronald Reagan’s equation – as in, disagree 20 percent of the time with me, and you are 80 percent my enemy.
#9 Milei’s ‘we want it all’ moment We’re early into the experiment. But Javier and Karina, along with star political advisor Santiago Caputo, are already imagining the “Milei era,” which should last at least eight years and include control of the Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires City and Buenos Aires Province.
#10 Quite soon there will be nobody left If present trends are anything to go by, then our descendants, most of whom will be in their dotage, will occupy a prominent place on the endangered species list.
#11 Milei’s ‘chainsaw’ cut nearly 35,000 public-sector jobs in 2024 Report by the Deregulation & State Transformation Ministry, headed by Milei ally Federico Sturzenegger, details 34,280 dismissals or contract terminations between December 2023 and October 2024, shrinking the state payroll by seven percent.
#12 Brazil's 2026 elections, without Lula or Bolsonaro? Brazil's 2026 presidential election may offer a field of candidates featuring neither incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva nor far-right rival Jair Bolsonaro – a novel scenario for Argentina's giant neighbour.
#13 Caste away If our parliamentarians are going to be their own men or women, some way must be found of making them fully accountable to their voters.
#14 The near in blood, the nearer bloody Time to stop being the snake biting its own tail and return to being the libertarian lion against the caste instead of co-opting it.
#15 Stories that caught our eye: December 13 to 20 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
#16 Argentina takes steps to speed up Milei’s dollarisation strategy Argentina’s government is working with major banks and payment firms to advance Javier Milei’s dollarisation strategy.
#17 Colombia offers to safeguard Maduro foes at Argentina's Embassy as stand-off deepens Colombia offers to take custody of Argentina’s Embassy in Caracas, where six of opposition leader María Corina Machado’s aides have been sheltering since March.
#18 IMF: Formal talks over new deal with Argentina have begun The International Monetary Fund and Argentina have formally begun negotiations over a new loan agreement as the current programme draws to a close.
#19 Milei, Caputo increasing bullish as they outline new IMF deal timeline Argentina eyes fresh accord with the International Monetary Fund in the first third of next year, with President Milei confident of strong support, both at the Fund and on trade, from incoming US president Donald Trump.
#20 IMF in talks with Argentina on loan to succeed US$44-billion deal International Monetary Fund confirms it has formally opened talks with President Javier Milei's government over a new loan programme to replace its existing US$44-billion deal.
#21 Shell signs accord with Argentina’s YPF to develop LNG plant Shell Plc has signed an agreement with Argentina’s state-run energy company YPF SA to work on a plan to export liquefied natural gas.
#22 Chile sends note of protest to Argentina after Caputo's criticism of Boric Chile has sent a note of protest to Argentina’s government after its economy minister Luis Caputo branded President Gabriel Boric a "communist" who will "sink" the nation.
#23 Brazil market rout risks a crisis as Lula resists austerity push As the currency craters in Brazil, thrusting the country’s markets into the international spotlight for the first time in years, a grim reality is setting in for top economic aides to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. They are, they fear, powerless to do much to stop the panic.
#24 Amnesty International Argentina urges Milei to respect rights after year of ‘confrontation’ Data compiled by rights NGO shows more than 1,100 people were injured in protest “repression” during Milei’s first year in office
#25 Distressed fund wins key role in bankruptcy case of Argentina soy exporter Vicentin Esteban Nofal, who runs Cima Investments SA, has swept up almost 35% of Vicentin’s US$1.3 billion of unsecured debt from a group of global banks for just 11 cents on the dollar.
#26 Supreme Court declares Insfrán’s indefinite re-election in Formosa unconstitutional The top tribunal unanimously ruled against unlimited re-election, blocking plans by Peronist governor to extend his term in power past 30-year mark.
#27 Accuser in French rugby player rape trial vows to appeal ruling The woman denouncing two French rugby players for rape is ready to take the case to the highest instances, her lawyer says in an interview.
#28 Geraldo Alckmin, Lula’s rival-turned-vice-president, finds himself in unwanted limelight For decades, he was President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s political rival. Now his boss’s health issues have put Geraldo Alckmin at the centre of questions about Brazil’s future.
#29 Two killed as private jet overshoots runway in San Fernando Tragic accident in Buenos Aires Province; Private jet misses runaway and crashes into houses near small airport of San Fernando. Two pilots aboard the aircraft perished in tragedy.
#30 Argentina working with banks to expanding dollar lending Argentina’s government is pushing banks to expand dollar lending to more sectors, wanting loans to companies and mortgages to be offered in US currency.
#31 Hotesur-Los Sauces: Supreme Court confirms trial for Cristina Fernández de Kirchner Nation’s top tribunal knocks back an appeal presented by ex-president’s defence team and confirms case will head to trial.
#32 Comodoro Py asks Milei to declassify SIDE files for Nisman death probe Federal court asks President to open up files from intelligence services in order to advance investigation into AMIA special prosecutor Alberto Nisman’s death almost a decade ago.
#33 Creditors agree to debt rework with Buenos Aires metro company Creditors agree to debt rework with Clisa, holding company behind Buenos Aires metro company operators.
#34 Vélez may have stumbled to finish line, but are worthy champions If ‘El Fortín’ can keep this side together and strengthen in the summer, they have a great chance of fighting for honours again in 2025.
