BLOOMBERG – ANALYSIS Milei sparks wild rally that makes peso number one in the world Today 15:17 Four months into office, President Javier Milei has pulled off a critical feat in a country long ravaged by runaway inflation: stabilising Argentina's currency.
INTEREST RATES CUT Central Bank lowers key rate to 60% Today 15:07 Policymakers at Argentina’s Central Bank lower interest rates to 60% from 70% as officials bet on a sustained slowdown of inflation.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Argentina, 17 other nations to call on Hamas to release Israeli hostages Today 12:55 Argentina signs joint statement calling for the release of the hostages held in Gaza; Casa Rosada's release says nation is aligned with "nations of the free world."
AVIATION REFUELLING ROW Argentine firms refuse to refuel Cuban state airline’s planes Today 11:33 Cuba’s state airline announced Wednesday that it had been forced to cancel two flights to Argentina because fuel suppliers refused to supply the planes.
PRODUCTION & INDUSTRY Industry on the ropes: Tough times for factories as consumers cut back Yesterday 17:24 Factories are on the ropes between adjustment and recession in Argentina. Representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs, or PyMES) warn drop in consumption is threatening the future of industry.
POLITICS Crisis at Human Capital Ministry: abrupt exits and resignations Yesterday 16:18 Legal Secretary Maximiliano Keczeli not the first from Sandra Pettovello’s inner circle to quit post, but he is perhaps the most important figure to have stepped down. Milei’s ‘protective umbrella’ and administrative overspills. by Ramón Indart
POLITICS – ANALYSIS Middle class puts first limit on Milei’s chainsaw Yesterday 16:03 President Javier Milei underestimated the march in defence of public education, which proved to be massive and exemplary. Dominated by the very same people who are feeling his adjustment the most, he had better listen. by Walter Curia
EU-MERCOSUR DEAL Mercosur deal is ‘absolute priority’ for the EU, says chief negotiator Yesterday 15:36 Rupert Schlegelmilch, the EU’s chief negotiator for a free-trade deal with Mercosur bloc, says he is hoping to close this deal “as soon as possible,” pinpointing “June or July” as a possible date.
AMIA BOMBING PROBE 'Illegal': Iran slams Argentina bid to arrest minister over AMIA attack Yesterday 15:21 Tehran condemns "illegal" Argentine request for Interpol to arrest Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi over his alleged involvement in the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires.
BOOK FAIR Book Fair: Cultural resistance set to capitalise on unrest Yesterday 13:31 At a time of deep economic crisis, the annual Feria Internacional del Libro de Buenos Aires promises to be a space for reflection and debate. A look at the activities, visits and Javier Milei’s upcoming presentation. by Adriana Lorusso
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Milei’s team sees inflation slowing faster than economist survey Yesterday 12:04 President Javier Milei’s economic team sees monthly inflation slowing much faster this year than analysts anticipate.
AMIA BOMBING INVESTIGATION Argentina seeks arrest of Iranian minister over 1994 AMIA bombing 23-04-2024 23:11 President Javier Milei's government calls for Interpol to assist in the arrest of Iran's Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, in connection with the bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in 1994.
Marcha Federal Universitaria Massive crowds march against Milei’s cuts to state universities 23-04-2024 21:08 Large crowds turn out nationwide for march in defence of universities and state education; One of biggest rallies yet of President Javier Milei's government, with estimates ranging from 100,000 to half a million.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Diana Mondino heads to China, Europe on investment quest 23-04-2024 20:52 Argentina’s foreign minister will set off on Sunday for a 10-day tour of China, France, Belgium and Portugal, accompanied by a “large business delegation.”
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Economy slumped for fourth straight month in February 23-04-2024 20:18 Economic activity fell 3.2% in February from a year ago, a fourth straight monthly decline. On a monthly basis, activity declined 0.2%, according to government data.
CRIME & SECURITY Prison breaks in Buenos Aires: 19 inmates escape in 20 days, many convicts at large 23-04-2024 16:04 Fugitives on the run in Argentina – overcrowding at police stations in and across the capital allows detainees to escape from jail.
Ex-deputy sex scandal Ex-lawmaker who resigned in breast-kissing scandal sentenced to month in prison 23-04-2024 15:49 Former national deputy Juan Ameri (Frente de Todos) convicted of creating a public disturbance and sentenced to one month in prison; Ex-lawmaker was suspended from Congress after kissing his partner’s breast during a remote videoconference session beamed live into Congress.
EDUCATION & ECONOMY Universities defy Milei’s spending cuts with massive march 23-04-2024 15:16 At cities nationwide, students, graduates, faculty and auxiliary staff from 57 national state-run institutions take to the streets “in defence of public and free university.”
BUDGET The spending cuts that allowed Milei to turn around the economy 23-04-2024 13:47 How did the government reach a budget surplus in the first quarter? A private study provides answers.
HUMAN RIGHTS Government blocks reparation payments to victims of state terrorism 23-04-2024 12:11 Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona slams “festival of payments” as he orders a comprehensive audit of reparations made to victims of state terrorism under 1976-1983 military dictatorship.
CADENA NACIONAL BROADCAST Milei trumpets quarterly budget surplus in TV address 23-04-2024 10:49 President announces Argentina’s first quarterly fiscal surplus since 2008 during a televised speech, promising his commitment to eliminating deficits wouldn’t waver throughout his term.
POLITICS & ECONOMY 'The last stretch': Milei praises 'heroic' effort in prime-time address 22-04-2024 22:08 President uses prime-time broadcast to highlight first quarterly budget surplus since 2008. "This is the last stretch of a heroic effort," Milei tells nationwide.
BUSINESS & INVESTMENT Oil driller PAE pitches investors on global bond deal 22-04-2024 21:11 Pan American Energy, one of Argentina’s largest crude exporters, is meeting with investors this week to gauge demand for a global bond sale.
STATE ENERGY FIRM Burford seeks Argentina’s YPF stake to pay US$16-billion award 22-04-2024 20:29 Burford Capital asks US judge to grant it controlling 51% stake in YPF as part of its effort to collect on a US$16-billion court judegment.
POLITICS & ECONOMY How Milei and Caputo achieved Argentina's twin surpluses 22-04-2024 15:34 ‘Chainsaw’ and ‘blender’ plans pay off for Milei in much-improved fiscal figures for first quarter, as Argentina his government reporting a primary surplus and positive trade balance.
SPENDING CUTS By order of Milei, INCAA shuts doors, puts staff on leave 22-04-2024 15:06 President Javier Milei's government announces INCAA National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts will close doors temporarily ahead of international reorganisation; All employees told services are "no longer required" until new structure is in place.
SURVEY SAYS Poll: Milei retaining support despite complaints over dengue, education 22-04-2024 13:23 New survey by Opina Argentina shows President Milei retains 49% approval rating, despite anger at weakening of pensions, attack on universities and response to dengue fever outbreak.
ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT IMF: Argentina meeting programme targets by ‘significant margins’ 22-04-2024 11:53 Milei’s stabilisation plan "has yielded better results than we expected in our last programme review," says Rodrigo Valdés, IMF's director for Latin America and the Caribbean.
POLITICS & ECONOMY Milei to hail fiscal surplus in prime-time address 22-04-2024 11:00 President Javier Milei set to address the nation tonight in a prime-time ‘Cadena Nacional’ national broadcast, during which he hail his government’s progress on balancing Argentina’s books.
CULTURE Like a bad movie: Argentina's culture industry suffers under Milei 20-04-2024 07:39 President Javier Milei's 'chainsaw' cutbacks are threatening Argentina's Oscar-winning film scene, publishing industry and music industry.
Analysing Argentina Is Milei feeling the fear? 20-04-2024 06:45 Milei’s government needs to pass legislation, something it has not been able to do in its first four-and-a-half months in office. Congressional approval would be an indication to Argentines and foreign observers alike that he means business. by Marcelo J. Garcia
As I see it The worst journalists in the world 20-04-2024 06:07 Milei wants to control the narrative and, by doing so, change the way Argentines think about the world. Does hurling insults at journalists help win him more adherents? by James Neilson
INTERVIEW James Rubin: 'China is supporting Russia's war in Ukraine and repeating its crazy arguments' 20-04-2024 05:24 China is supporting “materially, diplomatically, and even repeating Russia’s crazy arguments for this war,” says James Rubin, the United States’ top diplomat in charge of battling disinformation abroad. by Agustino Fontevecchia
EDITORIAL Pre-paid or re-paid? 20-04-2024 05:14 Subordinating medical fees to the dictates of a usually populist government did not work since it placed pricing hopelessly out of sync with the costs, but the naïve faith that the market could correct the damage of years in three months was a non-starter.
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Marcos Peña: ‘Our team lost the match, it wasn't just won by Milei’ 20-04-2024 05:11 Former Cabinet chief returns in a reflective mood, discussing Mauricio Macri’s PRO, the future Juntos por el Cambio and the rise of La Libertad Avanza. by Jorge Fontevecchia
CONGRESS & POLITICS Senators raise their own pay as Argentines cope with hardship 19-04-2024 22:41 Senators vote by a show of hands to raise their own salaries by 170%, while half of their compatriots live in poverty.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW Stories that caught our eye: April 12 to 19 19-04-2024 17:59 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
CINEMA Cecilia Roth denounces 'dismantling' of cultural industry 19-04-2024 16:51 Argentine actress Cecilia Roth has denounced the dismantling of Argentina’s cultural industry, pointing the finger firmly at the economic policies of President Javier Milei.
EDUCATION Universities deny claims of funding deal, confirm April 23 strike 19-04-2024 16:18 CIN National Inter-University Council denies government's claim that funding deal has been reached and renews call for April 23 protest.“It’s vital to make the situation we’re going through visible,” they stated.
‘Círculo rojo’ Milei slams predecessors in speech to top business leaders 19-04-2024 15:28 Javier Milei makes annual trip to Bariloche for forum held at Llao Llao Hotel; La Libertad Avanza leader given warm welcome as he complains about “inheritance” from ex-president Alberto Fernández's government.
TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY Disinformation hackathon battles manipulation, takes fight to fake news 19-04-2024 12:06 Journalists, programmers, data analysts and designers meet in Buenos Aires to debate and design tools to combat disinformation at an event organised by Fundación Perfil.
FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA Copa drama sets up first Superclásico with both sets of fans since 2018 19-04-2024 11:23 The final round of Copa de la Liga fixtures brought a festival of gripping football which kept fans glued to their chairs. by Dan Edwards
EDUCATION UBA students and teachers demonstrate against Milei's cutbacks 19-04-2024 10:25 Students and teachers of the University of Buenos Aires protested with public classes in the street and symbolic embraces of buildings against the government’s drastic austerity.
POLITICS & ECONOMY Caputo looks for funds for Argentina in Washington 19-04-2024 00:07 Economy Minister Luis Caputo is on the search for funds in Washington, seeking the US$15 billion President Javier Milei says Argentina needs to remove currency controls.
RELATIONS WITH CHINA Central Bank chief Bausili among top officials headed to China 18-04-2024 18:02 Top government officials are preparing to visit China in the next few weeks as President Javier Milei ditches his aggressive rhetoric against Beijing in a bid to deepen ties with a key trade partner.
NO HAY PLATA? Rebellion in Senate: Pay increase passed by show of hands and without debate 18-04-2024 17:40 Milei lashes out via social networks after senators vote to approve pay increase; "2025 will see a historic hiding" for the caste, says President.
BUSINESS & INVESTMENT Mercado Libre to recruit 18,000 more staff in Latin America this year 18-04-2024 16:25 Mercado Libre announced “the hiring of 18,000 people in the region, which will increase its payroll to over 76,000 by the end of 2024”, the company said in a press release.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Argentina formally asks to become ‘global partner’ of NATO 18-04-2024 16:09 Defence Minister Luis Petri delivers letter of intent to authorities from transatlantic military alliance, seeking Argentina's approval as a "global partner" of NATO.
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND Inflation falling ‘a little faster than expected,’ says Georgieva 18-04-2024 15:51 Kristalina Georgieva, the head of the International Monetary Fund, says "inflation is coming down faster than expected" in Argentina.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Government dreams of a single digit as inflation begins to slow 18-04-2024 15:29 Price hikes slowed in the first half of April, according to analysts, with officials in President Javier Milei's government daring to dream of a single-digit inflation rate for the month. by Martín Fernández Nadale
GEOPOLITICAL ROW Argentine delegation inspects Chinese space station in Neuquén 18-04-2024 14:42 Group of government officials, scientists and experts visit controversial deep space station run by Beijing; Inspection comes after heavy pressure from Washington.
NEW STREAMING SERIES New series shows how Máxima became a Dutch queen 18-04-2024 14:01 Delfina Chaves takes the lead in the biopic mini-series charting the life of the Argentine queen of Dutch King Willem-Alexander, entitled simply 'Máxima.'
BLOOMBERG Caputo speech at JPMorgan event helps propel Argentine bonds 18-04-2024 13:18 Argentina won’t lift capital controls until international reserves are high enough to safeguard against a potential currency run, Luis Caputo tells investors.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Milei requests meeting with Lula to discuss 'joint policies' 18-04-2024 12:38 Bending to reality, Argentina’s President finally proposes an encounter with his Brazilian counterpart after trashing him on the campaign trail last year; Foreign Minister Mondino delivers a formal invite to her colleague Mauro Vieira in Brasília.
World Organisation for Animal Health Argentine veterinarian looks to conquer French multilateral bastion 18-04-2024 00:23 Luis Barcos, the Argentine candidate to be the next director-general of the World Organisation for Animal Health, is looking to become the first non-French person to lead the ex-Office International des Epizooties.
HEALTH & ECONOMY Government intervenes to halt private health scheme price surge 17-04-2024 17:21 Free-market Milei administration uses state power to challenge firms and announces most prepaid health schemes are rolling back runaway price increases; "The Argentina of wise guys is over," declares presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni.
FOREIGN POLICY & ECONOMY Mondino: Mercosur must open up to ‘agreements with other countries’ 17-04-2024 17:16 Argentina's Foreign Minister Diana Mondino calls for modernisation of Mercosur rules and backs push for free-trade deal with China.
agriculture & economy Bug plagues crops in setback for Milei’s recovery plan 17-04-2024 16:49 Argentina corn farmers had high hopes for this season’s harvest. Now a bug is getting in the way.
POLITICS Group of Unión por la Patria deputies to back Milei’s Omnibus bill 17-04-2024 16:40 "Yes to the law, no to the Emergency Decree." Sources in Peronist caucus say some deputies – who will not make their stance public for now – will back President Milei’s reform bill in Congress. by Ramón Indart
DIPLOMACY Bullrich sparks row with Bolivia, Chile with Hezbollah claims 17-04-2024 16:36 Bullrich alleges the presence of Iranian-linked forces in Bolivia and Chile, along with Triple Frontier; Arce’s administration calls for “end of provocation,” while Boric demands respect.
BUSINESS & INVESTMENT Top CEOs to heap praise on Milei at Patagonia retreat 17-04-2024 13:18 Elsztain will host president at exclusive Bariloche event; IRSA starting construction on biggest project in its history
CHILD POVERTY An X-ray of child labour in Argentina 17-04-2024 11:56 Neatly 15% of those aged between 5 and 17 are affected by child labour in Argentina, with huge disparities when it comes to socio-economic level, gender and location. by Agustina Bordigoni
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Beef consumption fell to historic low in first quarter 16-04-2024 20:21 Beef sales hit a historic low in the first quarter of 2024 amid a heavy drop in consumption, falling to their lowest level in three decades.
PRESIDENTIAL U-TURN Milei will no longer fly commercial for security reasons, says spokesperson 16-04-2024 17:22 Javier Milei reverses previous decision to travel by commercial airliner on foreign trips abroad; Decision follows recommendation by Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, who has asked that President’s protection be stepped up.
RESEARCH Probe to determine if sunken sub off Argentina’s coast is Nazi U-boat 16-04-2024 17:00 Investigative mission to identify wreckage of sunken submarine found off coast of Necochea, Buenos Aires Province, in 2022 begins with deployment of underwater cameras and ROVs; According to naval research group Eslabón Perdido, the remains are likely those of a scuttled Nazi-era U-boat.
POLITICS – ANALYSIS Kirchnerite tensions: New wave pushes for displacement of La Cámpora 16-04-2024 15:46 Disappointed with the inaction of those aligned with Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, a new line of Kirchnerite figures are knocking on Axel Kicillof's door and asking him to take control of the Peronist movement.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IMF improves inflation projection: 150% this year, but 45% in 2025 16-04-2024 15:44 Latest 'World Economic Outlook' report predicts Argentina’s GDP will contract by 2.8% this. Milei’s "shock plan" will impact economy, arriving hand-in-hand with recession, says Fund.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Mondino warms ties with Brazil, but no Milei-Lula meet on cards 16-04-2024 13:10 "The possibility of a presidential meeting is always present. And we hope that at some point it will happen," Argentina's Foreign Minister Diana Mondino declares after visit to Brasília.
DEFENCE SPENDING Petri hails Milei's leadership as he inks deal for F-16 jets in Denmark 16-04-2024 12:52 Argentina’s Defence Minister offers gushing praise for President Javier Milei as he visits a Danish air base to finalise future purchase of 24 F-16 fighter jets from Denmark.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Mondino says Argentina will ‘never interfere' in Brazil’s affairs 15-04-2024 17:06 Foreign Minister Diana Mondino denies reports that President Javier Milei will mediate in Elon Musk’s row with Brazilian Judiciary, declaring that Argentina would “never interfere” in another nation's affairs.