ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY Milei’s cuts are making credit harder to collect in Argentina 04-06-2025 10:30 Just over a year and a half since Javier Milei took office, businesses and households are under strain from stagnant wages and lingering inflation.
POLITICS – ANALYSIS CFK's return risks dividing opposition in boon for Milei 03-06-2025 14:22 Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's decision to run in September’s legislative elections in Buenos Aires Province will set the stage for the national midterm vote the following month.
Politics – Analysis From ‘Caputito’ to ‘Fat Dan’ – weird scenes of digital disinformation 31-05-2025 06:39 Milei and his digital pit-bulls appeal to freedom of expression while relying on manipulative and even false information to get their message across, while fostering censorship and hate of the traditional media. Freedom of speech for those who express the same kind of things as me, censorship for the rest. by Agustino Fontevecchia
ESPIONAGE & FREEDOM OF THE PRESS SIDE: from the sewers to the forces of heaven 31-05-2025 06:38 Until now, the path taken by Javier Milei’s “forces of heaven” is no different from their predecessors. by Javier Calvo
CAMPAIGN COMMENTS Where angels fear to tread 31-05-2025 06:33 The demolition job suffered by PRO in the City has most provinces now thinking twice about advancing their elections and exposing local hegemonies to the forces of heaven. by Michael Soltys
As I see it Censorship is making a comeback just about everywhere 31-05-2025 06:28 Milei has a habit of shouting “Freedom, damn it!” whenever the opportunity arises, but he is clearly an authoritarian at heart who does not take kindly to criticism. by James Neilson
Analysing Argentina Milei chooses to ignore emerging consensuses 31-05-2025 06:23 With less than five months to the midterm vote, nothing seems to be standing in the way of a good result for the government. But Milei 2025 should already start thinking about Milei 2027 by Marcelo J. García
POLITICS Milei gets Tuttle Twins to teach free markets to kids 29-05-2025 08:53 President Javier Milei is relaunching a state-run TV channel for kids set to feature a cartoon teaching free-market economics while stressing the evils of taxes and communism.
ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY Milei intervenes in currency market despite letting peso float 28-05-2025 11:36 Argentina’s government has intervened in the currency markets to influence the peso’s value and is likely to miss reserve accumulation targets.
DISCREDIT & DISTRACTION Darín and Milei’s online army: empanadas or rotten fish 27-05-2025 14:43 Argentina’s government, along with its army of online trolls and sympathetic journalists, used the price of empanadas to mock Ricardo Darín and distract from the economic crisis. Viral mockery and aligned media coverage helped them avoid talking about frozen wages, austerity, and the loss of purchasing power. by Nicolas Gonzalez
PRICE COMPLAINTS Milei officials beef with Darín over price of a dozen empanadas 26-05-2025 20:43 Actor Ricardo Darín draws Milei administration’s ire by complaining about the price of a dozen empanadas.
MILEI’S AUSTERITY MEASURES Six provinces demand over US$9 billion from national government 26-05-2025 14:58 Provinces of Buenos Aires, La Pampa, La Rioja, Formosa, Santiago del Estero and Santa Fe – mostly all opposition controlled – are demanding US$9.376 billion in outstanding debt from President Javier Milei’s government. by Gonzalo Martínez
As I see it Milei wants to paint Argentina violet 24-05-2025 06:49 Milei and his sister are well aware that political loyalties usually owe more to a person’s sense of belonging to a vaguely defined community than to reasoned arguments. Handouts can help, but peer pressure counts for more than anything else. by James Neilson
Campaign comments Milei’s purple patch 24-05-2025 06:38 The headlines all reflect a Milei triumph and a PRO catastrophe (the government objectives in almost equal measure), both accurate enough but also relative. by Michael Soltys
POLITICS – ANALYSIS Battle royale 24-05-2025 06:27 Politically, Milei is the son of fragmentation. Now, he’s consolidating his forces thanks to the weakness of dispersed opponents. by Agustino Fontevecchia
Analysing Argentina A whirlwind of votes, a black hole of dollars 24-05-2025 06:06 Argentines know their history, and they have enjoyed spending sprees in the past at the cost of the Central Bank, which invariably ended in economic catastrophe: in the late 1970s, in the 1990s, in the mid- and late 2000s. Milei will have to work hard to convince them that things will not be as they were. by Marcelo J. García
BOOKS & LITERATURE Things ain’t what they used to be – and nor were they then 23-05-2025 15:12 'Crisis social, pandemia y colonialismo inglés: una mirada de la Argentina a través del sainete y del seminario Don Quijote de Eduardo Sojo'; by Victoria Cox, Ediciones Diotima, 2024, 96 pages. by Michael Soltys
BUSINESS & INVESTMENT Argentina signals to investors IMF cash to come despite reserves 23-05-2025 10:14 Argentina expects to receive a US$2-billion disbursement from the IMF next month, regardless of whether nation hits target for rebuilding foreign reserves.
AMCHAM SUMMIT 2025 Investments, remonetisation, reforms – doubts of US business leaders 22-05-2025 09:31 Milei’s RIGI incentives do not convince, the 'quasi-whitewash' needs "rationality" and reform bills into 2026. Electoral atmosphere at this year’s AmCham Summit and business optimism. by Eugenia Muzio
ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY Milei’s cuts have Argentines driving new cars with paper licence plates 21-05-2025 13:03 The Milei administration is downsizing the National Mint, known as Casa de Moneda, cutting nearly 40 percent of its staff. In addition to outsourcing the printing of money, private companies have been tapped to take over licence-plate production for cars.
ELECTIONS 2025: BUENOS AIRES CITY 30% in the City – just how well did La Libertad Avanza do? 20-05-2025 16:34 All the polls point to an Argentina split down the middle. Within those two universes increasingly extreme stances coexist on both sides.
ELECTIONS 2025: BUENOS AIRES CITY City election reveals Argentina’s new democracy 19-05-2025 15:49 The internal rivalry within the right has finally been settled with Milei’s victory on Macri’s home turf. by Eduardo Fidanza
ELECTIONS 2025: BUENOS AIRES CITY PRO versus La Libertad Avanza: Chronicle of a death foretold? 18-05-2025 23:26 With the necessary caveats, the time that passed between the 2023 election and this weekend’s elections in Buenos Aires City could be seen as a remake of ‘The Sixth Sense’: PRO had been “dead” all along – but didn’t know it. by Juan Luis González
POLITICS – ANALYSIS Milei wins big in Buenos Aires City vote, dethroning Macri 18-05-2025 22:56 Javier Milei cements his hold on Argentina’s political right months before pivotal midterm elections.
ELECTIONS 2025: BUENOS AIRES CITY City elections: Winners and losers from a dramatic night 18-05-2025 21:55 Victory for President Milei’s La Libertad Avanza; PRO suffers worst defeat since taking power in Buenos Aires City almost two decades ago; Peronism finishes second.
Analysing Argentina Re-election in 2027? It’s Milei’s to lose 17-05-2025 06:53 Milei has at hand all the variables that will determine his future. Winning or losing will depend on how he handles them. The more pragmatic and less ideological, the better. by Marcelo J. García
CAMPAIGN COMMENTS They also serve who only stand and wait 17-05-2025 06:31 Electoral tides notoriously shift in the final week and even the last minute. by Michael Soltys
As I see it Being pope in an irreligious age 17-05-2025 06:28 Leo XIV faces a most difficult dilemma. by James Neilson
GUEST COLUMN Ayelén Mazzina: ‘Scrapping programmes that protected women is deeply perverse’ 16-05-2025 13:49 Former Women, Gender & Diversity Minister Ayelén Mazzina responds to President Javier Milei’s decision to eliminate 13 programmes that were created at the portfolio she previously led during her time in office.
POLITICS – ANALYSIS More to lose than to win 16-05-2025 10:15 In the City, the battle for first place is less interesting than the struggle between the Mileis and the Macris. by Agustino Fontevecchia
JOSÉ 'PEPE' MUJICA (1935-2025) ‘Pepe’ Mujica and politics as tool for transformation 15-05-2025 14:26 José ‘Pepe’ Mujica, the former president of Uruguay, has passed away at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of social and economic transformation. During his administration, Argentina’s neighbour experienced historic growth, with inclusive policies that reduced poverty and promoted human rights. by Cecilia Degl'Innocenti
OBITUARY: JOSÉ 'PEPE' MUJICA (1935-2025) José Mujica: Happiness, wisdom and generosity 15-05-2025 14:06 If wisdom is the fruit of age, then José ‘Pepe’ Mujica lived long enough to share quite a bit. He was generous with it too, not wanting to take to the grave what had cost him so dearly to learn. During an eventful life, he learned that happiness doesn't come by way of sickle, chainsaw or hammer. by Mónica Martin
ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY How Milei keeps peso strong ahead of midterm vote 14-05-2025 12:00 President Milei's government doubles down on a strong peso strategy, making it the cornerstone of his midterm election campaign.
‘Information war’ Experts and diplomats unite to fight disinformation threat 13-05-2025 10:40 European diplomats, journalists and fact-checking specialists sound the alarm at international forum on disinformation in Buenos Aires. by Cecilia Degl'Innocenti
ANALYSING ARGENTINA Fernández de Kirchner’s present points to Milei’s future 10-05-2025 07:55 Like Milei today, Fernández de Kirchner and Macri once believed their power was unlimited and their future bright. The way they engaged with their adversaries only came back later to haunt them. by Marcelo J. García
OPINION & ANALYSIS New songs and Peronism 10-05-2025 07:50 Kirchnerism has no lyrics for its new songs – every intervention by CFK against Milei is always geared to the economic terrain, but from the perspective of his collapse and not improving on his achievements. by Jorge Fontevecchia
As I see it Milei looks like a one-trick pony 10-05-2025 07:45 Chainsaws are great but they can maim or even kill users who are too weak or too clumsy to handle them properly. by James Neilson
POLITICS & COMMUNICATION Milei: Hate, peace, Popes and social media 10-05-2025 07:21 The Milei administration built its strength on synthetic power and effectively navigated the first part of the presidency. With the campaign fully underway, La Libertad Avanza will once again rely on their not-so-secret weapon. by Agustino Fontevecchia
CAMPAIGN COMMENTS Four-by-four voting 10-05-2025 07:20 Next weekend’s City race hogs the electoral limelight but there is voting even closer in time – like tomorrow when four provinces will be advancing their midterms. by Michael Soltys
ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY Corporate defaults start piling up as Milei policies kick in 07-05-2025 12:28 As Javier Milei removes the distortions that once characterised Argentina’s economy, companies that bulked up on debt by exploiting exchange rate gaps are hurting.
POLITICS Pato changes her spots (again) – Bullrich quits PRO, joins Milei's party 06-05-2025 22:05 Former party colleagues accuse national security minister of “turning her back on those who voted for her” and damaging her “reputation,” as political chameleon shifts sides once again. by James Grainger
'Blanqueo permanente'? Experts say Argentina’s dollar thirst could open door for illegal funds 06-05-2025 12:26 Experts raise concerns about legal and tax consequences of using undeclared money after Economy Minister Luis Caputo urged Argentines to take their dollars out and "remonetise" the economy – without having to answer questions. by Eugenia Muzio
TWO SIDES OF SAME COIN Postcards of a crisis: youth unemployment and working into old age 06-05-2025 12:20 According to data from Argentina's Human Capital Ministry, 19.4% of young people aged 18 to 24 are unemployed. Meanwhile, greater numbers of older adults are continuing to work into their later years, or looking for work, out of necessity. by Agustina Bordigoni
POLITICS & MEDIA Milei administration intensifies offensive against press 03-05-2025 10:23 President Javier Milei’s government is presenting the media and journalists to voters as the “new caste” and has decided to ramp up its attacks on reporters; New attack attempts to associate them with “lies” and “defamation,” with one online ally even calling for one journalist to be jailed. by Pablo Varela
ANALYSING ARGENTINA Milei’s Macri mirror 03-05-2025 07:14 Javier Milei and Luis Caputo want the economy to be booming when the country goes to vote in October. The question is how much it will cost them – and the country. by Marcelo J. García
As I see it When the machines stop working 03-05-2025 07:00 A growing proportion of decisions that affect people will be made by artefacts that can be hacked either by individuals working for hostile regimes, religious zealots who disapprove of Western ways or mere mischief-makers who get a kick out of provoking turmoil. by James Neilson
CAMPAIGN COMMENTS The great debate 01-05-2025 09:39 The absurd multiplicity of 17 list-heading candidates for 30 City Legislature seats can be boiled down into a triangle of the PRO, libertarian and Peronist blocs, although this does not necessarily translate into only three candidates since others stand to make inroads. by Michael Soltys
ARGENTINA-CHINA RELATIONS Chinese business interests await gesture from Milei towards Xi 01-05-2025 09:18 Over-enthusiasm for the United States has damaged links with China, hampering political moves towards investment and trade agreements. A presidential trip to the Asian power is the key to smoothing the acrimony. by Eugenia Muzio
GUEST COLUMN Batakis: IMF betting on Milei because his failure would also be theirs 01-05-2025 07:42 This is a “political loan,” if not to say a campaign contribution, as in 2018.
ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY Savers buying up dollars after Milei lifts currency controls 30-04-2025 12:08 Savers are going back to the bank to buy dollars after President Javier Milei granted them complete freedom to do so.
Geopolitcs & trade Xi is trying to turn world against US as Trump cuts trade deals 29-04-2025 11:03 Beijing officials are racing to turn foreign governments against the United States inside a 90-day window Trump has granted all nations — except China — to strike trade deals during a tariff reprieve.
GUEST COLUMN Truth or dare? Tariffs or closure of economies 28-04-2025 15:43 Confusing an algebraic exercise of hypothetical theoretical equilibrium by transforming it into economic policy can only occur in a poorly prepared mind, or perhaps one trapped in a swarm of cognitive biases. by Martín A. Morgenstern
POLITICS: MIDTERMS 2025 Divided right bolsters Peronism in City as Karina’s strategy put to test 28-04-2025 14:24 Polling firms put the Peronist ticket led by Leandro Santoro ahead in Buenos Aires City. Battle between Manuel Adorni and Silvia Lospennato will set tone for electoral year. by Giselle Leclercq
STATE & RELIGION Church, Milei government play nice despite tensions, distrust 27-04-2025 20:35 Death of Pope Francis shines a spotlight on the relationship between Argentina’s religious leaders, the clergy and President Javier Milei’s government. by Juan Pablo Kavanagh
As I see it Goodbye to the Argentine papacy 26-04-2025 05:00 While some of the causes Bergoglio embraced may have been good, by adopting them he blurred the distinction between Catholicism and what most of the “progressive” atheists and agnostics who have long dominated Western culture already take for granted. by James Neilson
OBITUARY: POPE FRANCIS (1936-2025) The Pope from the 'ends of the earth' called to 'repair' the Church 26-04-2025 05:00 Jorge Bergoglio enters history as the first American Pope. During his time heading the Catholic Church, he reformed Vatican governance, pushed for peace and reconciliation and guided the Church through some of the darkest moments in recent years, taking measures against child abuse by members of the clergy. by Darío Silva D'Andrea
Analysing Argentina The shepherd who lost his country 26-04-2025 05:00 Argentina electing Milei, just as an Argentine was running the Vatican on a unifying message, is as if John Paul II had seen his Polish compatriots vote for a version of Joseph Stalin, rather than Lech Wałęsa. by Marcelo J. García
POPE FRANCIS (1936-2025) Francis: The most important Argentine in history 26-04-2025 05:00 Monarchs, heads of state, religious leaders and the Catholic faithful will descend on the Vatican today in huge numbers as the world bids a final farewell to Pope Francis, the Flores-born kid who ascended to one of the powerful positions in the world. by James Grainger
GUEST COLUMN Pope Francis and his message of brotherhood 25-04-2025 23:44 Theological, ideological or political differences must not become excuses to distance ourselves from each other. On the contrary, they must inspire us to engage even closer in meaningful dialogue. by Marwan Gill
FUNERAL OF POPE FRANCIS A simple funeral for Pope Francis becomes conduit to see Trump 25-04-2025 14:26 Funeral for Pope Francis risks being turned into high-profile stage for international diplomacy at a moment of geopolitical turmoil.
REMEMBRANCE Everyone needs to go to Auschwitz-Birkenau 25-04-2025 14:00 At this potentially dark hour, the Holocaust should serve as a message of what could lie ahead, if we continue fan the flames of hatred and fear. by Agustino Fontevecchia
THE PONTIFF & POLITICS A political Pope – probing Francis’ ties with Argentina’s presidents 23-04-2025 11:52 The man formerly known as Jorge Bergoglio recognised himself as being a political figure, long before his arrival in Rome. He once declared: "Christians should not be apolitical." A look at his links with Néstor Kirchner, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Mauricio Macri, Alberto Fernández and Javier Milei.
GUEST COLUMN Malaysia’s capital control (cepo) success – a journey beginning in Buenos Aires 19-04-2025 06:03 Malaysia’s success highlights the importance of policy credibility, clarity of purpose and exit strategy in the use of capital controls.
POLITICS & ECONOMY – ANALYSIS Milei dreams of re-election – with IMF's help 19-04-2025 06:00 Whether signing an IMF deal represents a “day of liberation” or one of mourning, it lifts a cloud of uncertainty and allows the political ecosystem to focus on upcoming elections. by Agustino Fontevecchia
As I see it Milei goes low in an effort to get high 19-04-2025 06:00 To get the big electoral majority he is after, Milei will have to persuade such people that he is the man, as was Juan Domingo Perón in his moment and after him, Carlos Menem and Néstor Kirchner. by James Neilson
Analysing Argentina Milei and the bicycle temptation 19-04-2025 06:00 The Milei government is confident it can make it to the midterm elections in October without major volatility. But this relative calm — won by force of debt — should not obscure the storm that was brewing before the cash injection. by Marcelo J. García
Campaign comments First day of the rest of the year 19-04-2025 06:00 Economists have hailed the exit from the cepo as a milestone but this columnist hesitates to consider it an electoral game-changer – there is both too much and too little time for that. by Michael Soltys
GEOPOLITICS & DIPLOMACY Trump’s China trade war is forcing Latin America to pick a side 15-04-2025 14:02 Intensifying battle between world’s two largest economies has left governments grappling with the reality that their days of doing big business with Beijing without serious blowback from Washington are numbered.
ARGENTINA & THE IMF Another IMF loan: for Argentina, it’s Groundhog Day 12-04-2025 15:24 Generations of Argentines feel their country is trapped in a recurring cycle: yet another loan from the International Monetary Fund to rescue a volatile economy.
POLITICS – ANALYSIS Milei gains 'breathing room' from his ties with Trump 12-04-2025 11:54 The support President Milei has garnered from the Trump administration stands in stark contrast to the mounting challenges on the home front. by Pablo Varela