EDITORIAL Message in a syringe Yesterdat 08:59 With President Alberto Fernández set to open the ordinary sessions of Congress with a state-of-the-nation address, the usual buzz of anticipation is conspicuous by its absence.
WEEKLY ROUND-UP What we learn this week: February 20-27 Yesterdat 08:53 Our pick of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
CITY GOVERNMENT Prosecutor to probe City Hall over ‘privatisation’ of vaccine campaign Yesterdat 08:46 Prosecutor Stornelli seeks probe against City Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta and Health Minister Fernán Quirós. Opposition dismisses claims, says City Hall is “transparent.”
AND THAT REMINDS ME... The craft of graft Yesterdat 08:42 The paradox of corruption is that it is such an ingrained everyday phenomenon at many levels that it explodes into big news relatively infrequently. by Michael Soltys
AS I SEE IT Kirchnerites find the race card tempting Yesterdat 08:36 For the Kirchnerites, “identity politics” has many attractions. by James Neilson
CORRUPTION & THE COURTS Lázaro Báez gets 12 years, but no immediate return to jail Yesterdat 08:28 Iconic Kirchnerite businessman sentenced to more than a decade behind bars for money-laundering an estimated US$55 million between 2010 and 2013.
MERCOSUR BLOC Brazil again pushes for loosening of Mercosur trade deal rules Yesterdat 08:21 Bolsonaro set to visit Buenos Aires for trade bloc’s next summit; Brazilian foreign minister accuses ‘interest groups’ using the environment as ‘pretext’ to block ratification of EU-Mercosur deal.
THE WAY WE WORK City Hall keen to attract digital nomads to Buenos Aires Yesterdat 08:13 The coronavirus pandemic has sparked a rise in so-called ‘digital nomads’ across the world – and the City Government has unveiled a new initiative to tempt them to Buenos Aires. by Emma Ridden
FUTBOL PARA TODOS Echoes of the past as football returns to TV Pública Yesterdat 07:58 Last night Argentinos and Vélez locked horns in the first domestic match screened on the TV Pública for almost four years, a throwback to the ‘Fútbol para Todos’ era which appeared to have gone forever. by Dan Edwards
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ‘Held to ransom’: Pfizer demands governments gamble with state assets to secure vaccine deal Yesterdat 07:41 US pharma giant accused of “bullying” Latin American governments in Covid vaccine negotiations, even asking Argentina and Brazil to put up sovereign assets as guarantees against any future legal costs. by MADLEN DAVIES, IVÁN RUIZ, JILL LANGOIS & ROSA FURNEAUX, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
THE WEEK There's no jab against ego tripping Yesterdat 07:29 Cutting corners, contacting cronies for dodgy favours and jumping lines is almost a national sport in Argentina. by Martín Gambarotta
MEET THE (NEW) MINISTER Carla Vizzotti takes up reins of Health Ministry Yesterdat 07:21 Former health access secretary, 48, is a vaccine specialist best known for being the public face of the government’s daily coronavirus briefings.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Health Minister Vizzotti into isolation after testing positive for coronavirus Yesterdat 07:12 The diagnosis could complicate things severely for the government, given the newly appointed minister’s role and how many other officials she has been in contact with of late.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL Government struggles to contain ‘VIP vaccine’ scandal Yesterdat 07:06 Opposition leaders pile on pressure over “vaccinations of privilege,” accusing ruling Peronist coalition of seeking to “vaccinate a Kirchnerite oligarchy.”
IMF DEBT RESTRUCTURING Government considers using new IMF reserves for loan payment 26-02-2021 16:58 Argentina is considering using new reserves to be issued by the International Monetary Fund to make a payment due to the lender in September, according to a person with direct knowledge.
Coronavirus vaccines Laboratory agrees deal to produce Sputnik V vaccine in Argentina 26-02-2021 14:08 Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine to be produced and manufactured in Argentina by local firm Laboratorios Richmond.
Coronavirus pandemic Shipment of 900,000 Sinopharm vaccine doses arrives in Argentina 26-02-2021 01:35 Cabinet Chief Santiago Cafiero, Health Minister Carla Vizzotti, Foreign Minister Felipe Solá and China's Ambassador to Argentina Zou Xiaol were on runway to witness vaccine flight’s arrival.
Bloomberg Central Bank extends rules for companies to restructure dollar debt 26-02-2021 01:31 BRCA extends deadline for companies to restructure debt in dollars until December 31.
IMF DEBT TALKS IMF: Argentine team expected to hold loan talks in mid-March 25-02-2021 18:22 Economy Minister Martín Guzmán will visit Washington in mid-March, confirms IMF spokesperson Gerry Rice.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS INDEC estimates economy contracted 10% in 2020 25-02-2021 17:35 Bureau’s Monthly Estimator of Economic Activity (EMAE), published Wednesday, revealed the economy fell by 2.2% in December.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Argentina’s economy recovery slowed to a crawl in December 24-02-2021 17:52 Economic growth month-over-month slowed to a crawl of 0.9% growth in December, down from 1.4% in November.
K-Money trail Lázaro Báez sentenced to 12 years in jail for money-laundering 24-02-2021 17:49 Businessman Lázaro Báez, at the centre of a corruption probe involving ex-presidents Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Néstor Kirchner, was sentenced to 12 years in jail Wednesday on money-laundering charges
Coronavirus Pandemic Government rolls out five-stage plan to vaccinate teachers 24-02-2021 16:36 Government announces that it will vaccinate teachers with the one million Sinopharm doses that are due to arrive from China on Friday. First round of vaccines will be given to over 450,000 teachers working in pre-school, special needs and primary schools.
Alberto in Mexico Fernández, López Obrador demand fairer access to Covid-19 vaccines 23-02-2021 16:49 Alberto Fernández and Andrés Manuel López Obrador call for fairer distribution of Covid-19 vaccines in Latin America and across the world, with both in agreement that rich nations are monopolising jabs.
'VIP vaccination' scandal President fights back as 'VIP vaccine' scandal grows 23-02-2021 14:09 Peronist leader says that while he rejects the “irregular” vaccinations, it had already cost the resignation of his health minister Ginés González García and did not amount to a crime.
DEATH OF DIEGO MARADONA Prosecutors convene medical board to rule on Maradona's death 23-02-2021 13:17 Prosecutors to convene a medical board on March 8 to decide whether or not Diego Armando Maradona received proper medical treatment before his death.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL Government releases list of vaccine recipients as scandal grows 22-02-2021 23:38 Pressure grows on Alberto Fernández administration over ‘VIP vaccination’ scandal. Casa Rosada releases a list of Peronist leaders, officials and their family members who received Sputnik jab.
COVID-19 VACCINES Vizzotti: 1 million doses of Sinopharm vaccine due ‘in next few days’ 22-02-2021 21:39 Argentina hopes to receive one million doses of China’s Sinopharm vaccine against Covid-19 "in the next few days," Health Minister Carla Vizzotti said Monday.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL Survey: 61% distrust government’s Covid-19 vaccination plan 22-02-2021 17:15 Following the controversial "VIP Vaccination" scandal that surfaced at the tail-end of last week, a new Management & Fit survey finds that six out of ten people lack confidence in government's vaccine plan.
ALBERTO IN MEXICO President arrives in Mexico for talks on business, vaccines 22-02-2021 14:05 Alberto Fernández landed in Mexico City today for an official visit geared towards “strengthening commercial ties” between two countries. President set to meet Mexican counterpart Andrés Manuel López Obrador, billionaire businessman Carlos Slim and visit an AstraZeneca vaccine laboratory.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL Fernández slams 'unforgivable' vaccine line-jump scandal 22-02-2021 13:09 President Alberto Fernández, delivering his first comments on the so-called 'VIP vaccination' scandal, said Sunday that the actions of his health minister had been "unforgivable."
FOOTBALL – PREMIER LEAGUE Bielsa says Leeds should wait before extending his contract 22-02-2021 13:01 Marcelo Bielsa says it would be better for Leeds United to wait until the end of the season before deciding whether to extend his contract.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL Vizzotti sworn in as health minister amid 'VIP vaccine' scandal 21-02-2021 08:40 Carla Vizzotti sworn in as Argentina's new health minister, following the resignation of her predecessor Ginés González García.
THE WEEK What we learned this week: February 13 to 20 20-02-2021 08:27 The stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
DEBT RESTRUCTURING Bondholders: ‘Argentina desperately needs agreement with the IMF’ 20-02-2021 08:18 Private bondholders group, who previously agreed to restructuring, accuse government of dragging its feet in talks with IMF to “continue its unsustainable policies even longer."
HUMAN RIGHTS ESMA IV trial: Eight new convictions for crimes against humanity 20-02-2021 08:13 Sentences handed down to eight individuals in ESMA IV trial for crimes against humanity, including illegal deprivation of liberty, torture, homicide and sexual assault. by James Grainger
OBITUARY:CARLOS SAÚL MENEM (1930-2021) Carlos Menem: Peronist, president, playboy 20-02-2021 08:07 Late former governor, senator and president – who led the nation for a decade between 1989 and 1999, the longest period of a democratic leader in modern-day Argentina – dies aged 90 at a hospital in Buenos Aires. by Michael Soltys
CARLOS MENEM (1930-2021) The first post-modern president 20-02-2021 07:56 Menem was the emblem of Argentina’s eternal aspiration to be a First World cosmopolitan society. by Gustavo González
CARLOS MENEM (1930-2021) Choose your own Menem 20-02-2021 07:46 As from Menem, public officials who got rich on the job began to be the rule rather than the exception. by Javier Calvo
AND THAT REMINDS ME... Charlie was my darling 20-02-2021 07:40 A selection of purely personal memories and perceptions of Carlos Menem, including some that differ from conventional wisdom. by Michael Soltys
AS I SEE IT A most unlikely reformer 20-02-2021 07:31 Carlos Menem may have been the king of kitsch, but he was also something else. by James Neilson
ARGENTINE FOOTBALL Emotions run high on opening weekend of season 20-02-2021 07:24 Ricardo Zielinski was one of 10 new coaches on display on the opening weekend, and each fared mixed fortunes. by Dan Edwards
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Covid-ravaged Argentina slump to defeat in SheBelieves Cup 20-02-2021 07:19 Albiceleste women’s side loses 4-1 to Brazil in opener. Preparations for the game were rocked just hours before kick off after four players tested positive for Covid-19.
POLITICAL ECONOMY The anchor: Guzmán’s second mistake? 20-02-2021 07:12 The Fernández administration has doubled down on an economic strategy that appears aimed at winning this year’s midterm elections. Whether or not Economy Minister Martín Guzmán agrees with the plan is debatable. by Agustino Fontevecchia
THE WEEK IN ARGENTINA Menem moments 20-02-2021 07:02 Carlos Menem dominated Argentine politics for a decade. And his death, for a moment, meant he was all over the news once more. by Martín Gambarotta
EDITORIAL Menem: A man of his times – and ours 20-02-2021 06:08 Despite his passing, Carlos Menem’s spirit remains very much around, in both the current government and the country as a whole.
SHALE Argentina’s shale ambitions hang in the balance 20-02-2021 05:59 YPFF needs to find more than US$1 billion to spur drilling at Vaca Muerta. At stake is not only the company’s growth strategy, but the future of the shale play itself.
COVID-19 VACCINES Vaccination campaign begins to reach Argentina’s elderly 20-02-2021 05:38 Vaccines start to be given to citizens aged over 70, as government's mass inoculation scheme aganst novel coronavirus enters new phase.
VIP VACCINE SCANDAL VIP vaccine scandal: President asks health minister to resign 19-02-2021 20:56 President Alberto Fernández asks Health Minister Ginés González García to resign post amid claims government supporters exploited contacts to jump vaccination queue.
Poverty and taxation Wealth tax: inequality solution for Latin America? 19-02-2021 12:52 The income chasm between the rich and poor in Latin America has led to efforts to tax the wealthy – though the reception has been uneven across various countries.
BLOOMBERG Banco Galicia CEO: Inflation will keep battering banking returns 19-02-2021 12:42 Argentine banks took a beating last year, and the nation’s biggest lender says the industry is at risk of a repeat performance.
COURTS CFK asks Supreme Court not to transfer illegal espionage case 19-02-2021 12:29 Vice-president's lawyer asks theSupreme Court to keep the illegal espionage case against the preceding Mauricio Macri administration in Lomas de Zamora, instead of the Federal Capital’s Comodoro Py courthouse.
ENVIRONMENT Scientists reveal impact of climate change on Antarctic phytoplankton 18-02-2021 23:52 Argentine scientists reveal that rising temperatures and diminished salinity have altered phytoplankton in the Antarctic.
COVID-19 VACCINES Buenos Aires Province begins vaccinating those aged 70+ 18-02-2021 13:58 Provincial government begins to give first shots of Sputnik V vaccine to citizens aged over 70, using schools and other sites as temporary vaccination centres.
Covid-19 vaccine Shipment of 580,000 vaccine doses arrives from India 17-02-2021 15:26 A shipment of 580,000 Covid-19 vaccines from India's Serum Institute arrives in Argentina to bolster government's immunisation campaign.
BACK TO SCHOOL Schools in Argentina finally re-open doors to students 17-02-2021 14:54 Schoolchildren from five of Argentina's 24 regional districts returned to classrooms on Wednesday for the first time in almost a year, as the country began a gradual restart of face-to-face classes.
PRICE CONTROLS Government to investigate food companies amid price clampdown 17-02-2021 14:28 Production & Development Ministry plans to investigate several food companies for not “increasing production to its highest level of installed capacity” and ensuring proper delivery.
Leopoldo Luque (1949-2021) World Cup winner Luque dies of heart attack after contracting Covid 16-02-2021 14:53 World Cup winner Leopoldo Jacinto Luque died on Monday of a heart attack while he was receiving treatment for Covid-19.
CARLOS MENEM (1930-2021) Menem buried with military honours at ceremony in capital 16-02-2021 11:46 Former president Carlos Menem was laid to rest on Monday, granted military honours at a small ceremony on the outskirts of the capital.
Death of ex-president Former president Carlos Menem passes away aged 90 14-02-2021 13:57 Peronist leader, who led the nation for a decade between 1989 and 1999, passes away at a hospital in Buenos Aires.
OBITUARY Menem, ex-president who led Argentina for 10 years, dies at 90 14-02-2021 13:17 Former president, whose economic policies quashed hyperinflation during the 1990s but sowed the seeds for what became the largest debt default in history, has died. He was 90.
THE LAST SEVEN DAYS What we learned this week: February 6 to 13 13-02-2021 10:32 Our pick of the stories from the last seven days in Argentina.
CONGRESS Congress approves bill blocking debt issuance without legislative approval 13-02-2021 10:26 New law will apply to any new debt agreements, including with the International Monetary Fund.
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Massa seeks to lower income tax floor 13-02-2021 10:23 The government stands to lose some 40,000 billion pesos in revenue from these changes but hopes to recover much of this from the beneficiaries spending this extra money on items subject to IVA value-added taxation and other levies.
AGRICULTURE Tensions with producers lowered after talks with agricultural leaders 13-02-2021 10:19 President agrees not to set further quotas or hike taxes, provided agreement is reached to keep prices down.
ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURE Local municipalities embrace agroecology 13-02-2021 10:15 A network of municipalities are reimagining an agricultural production model based on industrial inputs, encouraging a new relationship between farming, food and nature. by Jorgelina Hiba
ENVIRONMENT & AGRICULTURE How Argentina’s land laws stifle sustainable agriculture 13-02-2021 10:10 Argentina’s unique land laws have meant increasingly concentrated land ownership and leasing to profit-oriented companies who care little for long-term sustainability. by Jorgelina Hiba
FEMICIDE Protesters demand action after brutal murder of teenager 13-02-2021 10:04 19-year-old Úrsula Bahillo found brutally stabbed to death. She had previously denounced her suspected killer, former boyfriend and Buenos Aires Province police officer Matías Ezequiel Martínez.
POLICING More than 550 police officers suspended over 2019 pay mutiny 13-02-2021 09:59 Further suspensions may follow, with a total of 1,800 cops under investigation for their role in last year’s controversial police pay mutiny that saw a group of officers encircle the Olivos presidential residence.
EDUCATION Students, teachers prepare to return to classrooms 13-02-2021 09:56 "Without health there is no present and without education there is no future," says President Fernández; Ademys union calls 72-hour strike.