BOND BUYBACK Argentina’s bond buyback plan sets off Moody’s default alarm Today 15:10 Plan to repurchase US$1 billion of overseas bonds meets the definition for a default, according to Moody’s.
CELAC SUMMIT 2023 Brazil 'is back' hails Lula at Latin American leaders summit 24-01-2023 16:43 "Brazil is back in the region," declares Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as Latin American and Caribbean leaders meet in Buenos Aires for CELAC summit.
CELAC SUMMIT 2023 President slams 'fascist right wing' in CELAC summit speech 24-01-2023 15:42 President Alberto Fernandez slams region's "recalcitrant and fascist right wing" as he formally opened the seventh CELAC summit in Buenos Aires.
Protests in Peru 'Civil war now!' exclaim demonstators in Peru as tensions rise 24-01-2023 13:31 Hundreds of demonstrators marching in Lima called for the resignation of President Dina Boluarte; Massive protests that have already claimed the lives of 46 people set to continue, Interior Minister Vicente Romero warns.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Relaunching the strategic alliance between Argentina and Brazil 24-01-2023 00:17 In a special text for PERFIL, the Argentina and Brazilian presidents detail the strategic alliance which they signed Monday in Buenos Aires, defending democracy, Mercosur and economic integration.
LULA IN BUENOS AIRES Brazil, Argentina eye common unit for trade, not a single currency 23-01-2023 21:49 Brazilian finance minister says plan is to introduce a common unit to settle trading operations between the two countries without relying on the dollar.
LULA IN BUENOS AIRES Brazil to finance Argentine importers in bid to boost trade ties 23-01-2023 21:42 Loans to Argentine companies will be given by public and private banks in Brazil and covered by guarantees from both governments.
BRAZIL LEADER IN ARGENTINA Lula lands in Buenos Aires seeking rebuild bridges in Latin America 23-01-2023 09:56 Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira says Lula's visit to Buenos Aires and attendance at CELAC summit is part of a foreign policy that will seek to "rebuild bridges" with the international community.
JOINT CURRENCY PLAN Brazil and Argentina are discussing whether to combine currencies 23-01-2023 09:31 Argentina and Brazil are in the preliminary stages of renewing discussions on forming a common currency for financial and commercial transactions, the leaders of the two nations reveal.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Opposition demands Maduro’s arrest as he confirms CELAC attendance 19-01-2023 14:54 Key figures in Juntos por el Cambio call for Venezuelan “dictator” to be arrested if he sets foot in Argentina for upcoming CELAC summit; US President Joe Biden to skip event in Buenos Aires.
AND THAT REMINDS ME… Grande irmão 14-01-2023 06:58 Lula might have rallied a hostile Congress, the Supreme Court and most people behind him in outrage against last Sunday’s barbarous assault but nobody wins. by Michael Soltys
POLITICS & JUDICIARY Government summons Congress to debate Supreme Court impeachment 13-01-2023 18:06 President Alberto Fernández’s government calls extraordinary sessions of Congress, starting January 23; Among bills are one that would impeach members of the Supreme Court for "poor performance."
FOREIGN POLICY Brazil rejoins CELAC as Lula confirms presence at summit 13-01-2023 13:13 Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has confirmed Brazil will rejoin the CELAC bloc, has confirmed that he will travel to Buenos Aires later this month.
Inflation Rises Inflation hit 94.8% in 2022, highest rate in 32 years 12-01-2023 17:34 INDEC reveals that prices increased by 5.1% in December, continuing the general downward trend but accelerating slightly from the preceding month.
WHAT LIES AHEAD IN 2023 Economy 2023: inflation and austerity in an election year 11-01-2023 23:28 The new year will be in a state of permanent tension, as Argentina grapples with spending cuts contained in the agreement with the International Monetary Fund and the political needs of a president in an election year.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Lula, CELAC and Scholz head president’s packed international agenda 09-01-2023 23:17 President Alberto Fernández will receive German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Brazil’s re-elected leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva before the month is out, with more than 30 heads of state also expected to attend the upcoming CELAC summit in Buenos Aires. Joe Biden and Xi Jinping have also been invited, though their attendance is not confirmed.
CHAOS IN BRASÍLIA President Alberto Fernández assails 'coup attempt' in Brazil 09-01-2023 00:00 Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner also condemns attack, attributing it to "hate speech in the media and social networks."
POLITICS & JUDICIARY Fernández launches bid to remove Supreme Court judges 03-01-2023 23:38 President Alberto Fernández launches parliamentary procedure against the Supreme Court in the latest stage in the executive's power battle with the Judiciary.
POLITICS & JUDICIARY President Fernández seeks to impeach Supreme Court chief 02-01-2023 12:42 President Alberto Fernández seeks impeachment of leader of the Supreme Court, Horacio Rosatti, a manoeuvre that escalates his recent feud with the Judiciary.
PRESIDENT ON MERCOSUR President: ‘Agricultural protectionism’ blocking EU-Mercosur deal 01-01-2023 03:00 President Alberto Fernández on tensions within the Mercosur, the future of the regional trade bloc and what is really blocking its controversial free-trade deal with the European Union. by Jorge Fontevecchia
Football & Politics Claudio Tapia: Victory parade row shines spotlight on AFA chief 26-12-2022 14:56 The bus carrying the most popular caravan in the country’s history did not arrive at the Obelisk, as the World Cup champions wanted, and neither did they make it to the balcony of the Casa Rosada, as the government desired. The dispute over the celebrations following Argentina’s triumph in Qatar underlines ‘Chiqui’ Tapia’s complicated relationship with President Alberto Fernández. by Agustín Colombo
REVENUE-SHARING ROW Alberto Fernández now says he’ll comply with top court order 26-12-2022 14:00 Days after saying he would not comply with a Supreme Court order that called for it to return federal funds to the Buenos Aires City government, President Alberto Fernández says will he honour the decision.
REVENUE-SHARING ROW President snubs Supreme Court ruling, sparking crisis 23-12-2022 14:49 President Alberto Fernández's decision to disobey a Supreme Court order to return funding to the government of the opposition-controlled city of Buenos Aires, sparks an institutional crisis.
POLITICS & APOLITICAL PLAYERS President says players didn’t offend him with Casa Rosada snub 21-12-2022 23:40 Political tensions rise amid back-and-forth over the non-visit of Argentina’s players to the Casa Rosada; Alberto Fernández plays down row, brands himself “president of three cups.”
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Alberto Fernández: ‘This government, of which I’m president, is also Cristina’s government’ 16-12-2022 14:11 Interviewed at the Editorial Perfil newsroom, President Alberto Fernández offers an evaluation of his three years in government in a feature interview. He addresses the economy, his relationship with Sergio Massa, Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s corruption conviction and his recent national broadcast highlighting allegations of political and judicial collusion. by Jorge Fontevecchia
FOOTBALL President wishes France's Macron the best – except for in Sunday's World Cup final 15-12-2022 18:02 President Alberto Fernández wished his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron all the best for the future, except for on Sunday, when the teams of their respective nations will clash in the World Cup final in Qatar.
POLITICS – ANALYSIS Reset 13-12-2022 15:20 In May 2019, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner announced in a video that she was choosing Alberto Fernández as the Frente de Todos presidential candidate. Last week, she excluded herself from any candidacy in next year’s elections, once again shaking up the political status quo. by Jorge Fontevecchia
LAGO ESCONDIDO SCANDAL There are no coincidences in the Hidden Lake 10-12-2022 06:41 There is nothing inherently criminal in having these magistrates and officials accept an invitation to a public retreat from an interest group that happens to be the country’s largest media conglomerate. The issue here is ethical. by Agustino Fontevecchia
MERCOSUR TRADE BLOC Mercosur members avoid rupture at summit as leaders voice concerns 07-12-2022 00:55 Summit ends with parties reiterating their differences over free-trade deals, as President Alberto Fernández accuses Uruguay’s Luis Lacalle Pou of wanting to ‘break up’ the Mercosur trade bloc.
Vice-president responds Cristina Fernández de Kirchner won’t seek office after guilty verdict 06-12-2022 21:32 Cristina Fernández de Kirchner said she will not run for public office after a court found her guilty of fraud charges, ruling out a new presidential attempt next year.
LEAKED TELEGRAM MESSAGES President calls for investigation into alleged political-judicial collusion 05-12-2022 22:18 Alberto Fernandez calls for opening of a criminal investigation into alleged collusion between judges, prosecutors and media entrepreneurs after publication of leaked messages showing a conspiracy to cover-up details of a suspicious trip to Lago Escondido.
Mercosur tensions South American trade partners pile pressure on rebel Uruguay 05-12-2022 20:37 Three nations warn Uruguay’s move to chase trade deals without the agreement of its Mercosur partners risks undermining or rupturing customs union.
MERCOSUR TENSIONS Mercosur’s future in balance as summit begins 05-12-2022 17:48 Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay reiterated their criticism of Uruguay on Monday over their partner’s willingness to negotiate agreements with countries outside the Mercosur bloc.
IMF DEBT PROGRAMME Argentina’s US$44-billion IMF deal gets latest staff approval seal 03-12-2022 08:07 Third review of nation's US$44-billion debt programme now goes to the IMF’s executive board for approval, which is expected to meet this month; Upon completion, Argentina will have access to about US$6 billion, the IMF said.
FEATURE COLUMN Cristina candidate, Sergio candidate 03-12-2022 05:02 Cristina Fernández de Kirchner may well have embarked upon a path which will lead to her presidential run. Sergio Massa, looking further ahead, maintains that he will not run. But if his economic experiment succeeds, he may become the natural Frente de Todos candidate for 2023. by Jorge Fontevecchia
MERCOSUR TRADE BLOC Mercosur in open conflict ahead of summit showdown 01-12-2022 14:03 President Alberto Fernández joins forces with Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro and Paraguay’s Mario Abdo Benítez to formally complain over Uruguay’s move to sign trade deals without approval from partners; Next week’s Mercosur summit will be "entertaining," jokes Luis Lacalle Pou, with regional trade bloc set for showdown.
Politics & corruption Sergio Berni walks the line as the coalitions bend 26-11-2022 06:26 Sergio Berni is once again walking on the edge of a tightrope, a situation he knows all too well. by Agustino Fontevecchia
OBITUARY Hebe de Bonafini, iconic leader of Madres de Plaza de Mayo, dies aged 93 20-11-2022 14:29 Iconic human rights campaigner and leader of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo human rights organisation dies at Hospital Italiano in La Plata aged 93.
Presidential health scare President undergoes medical tests after discomfort at G20 20-11-2022 09:29 President Alberto Fernández underwent an endoscopy on Saturday in Buenos Aires, following up on the health scare he suffered at the G20 Leaders Summit in Bali.
Interview Santiago Cafiero on standing in for the president, G20 and a chat with Joe Biden 18-11-2022 12:58 Foreign minister had to step in and replace President Alberto Fernández at the G20 Leaders Summit. In a short interview, he speaks about the tour, his chat with US President Joe Biden and Cecilia Todesca Bocco's candidacy for the Inter-American Development Bank. by Rosario Ayerdi, from Madrid
G20 leaders summit From hospital to bilateral with Xi – Alberto’s up-and-down day at the G20 16-11-2022 15:40 President Fernández had an eventful first day on Tuesday at the G20 Leaders Summit in Bali.
THE ECONOMIC INSIDERS Meet the trio of key players backing Massa at the Economy Ministry 16-11-2022 10:54 Gabriel Rubinstein, Guillermo Michel and Lisandro Cleri are the officials who represent the eyes of Argentina’s Economy Minister Sergio Massa. Longtime and low-profile backers of the Tigre leader, their support is unconditional.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Argentina says China will increase swap line by US$5 billion 15-11-2022 21:36 China will increase its currency swap programme with Argentina by 35 billion yuan (US$5 billion), President Alberto Fernández tells reporters.
BLOOMBERG – ANALYSIS Argentina’s annual inflation spikes to 88%, topping G20 countries 15-11-2022 17:00 Consumer prices rose 88% in October from a year ago, surpassing Turkey’s 85.5% rate for the highest among Group of 20 nations.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY President hospitalised after suffering gastritis at G20 summit in Bali 15-11-2022 10:03 Argentina's president suffers illness at G20 Leaders Summit and is briefly hospitalised. After receiving treatment, he goes ahead with bilateral meeting with Chinese premier Xi Jingping.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Fernández seeking more than words at bilateral with Xi Jingping 14-11-2022 14:37 During his upcoming bilateral meeting with the Chinese premier, Argentina’s president will seek better conditions in the use of currency swaps and be accompanied by Sergio Massa, who wants the relationship to stop being so unequal. by Rosario Ayerdi
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Alberto Fernández eyes progress in Bali at G20 summit 14-11-2022 13:37 Russia-Ukraine talks and IMF surcharges on the agenda for the president, who will attend event hosted by US leader Joe Biden and hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Xi Jingping.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY President vows to promote dialogue between Russia, Ukraine at G20 13-11-2022 13:12 Alberto Fernandez says he will utilise contacts with other G20 leaders to try to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Fernández denounces 'indecency' of Ukraine war 11-11-2022 18:59 From Paris, President Alberto Fernandez denounces "indecency" of the war in Ukraine and its impact on global south.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Ukraine, Venezuela top agenda as Fernández meets Macron in Paris 11-11-2022 10:52 Leaders huddle for 45 minutes at the Élysée Palace to tighten their bilateral links and work on a joint global agenda; Macron expresses regret over failed attack against vice-president, calls for progress on Venezuela talks.