News of world

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ahead of an interview in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on April 14.

Bessent expects Argentina to be able to pay off China swap

Yesterday 19:13 Scott Bessent hails Argentina as a free-market beacon in Latin America; US Treasury secretary said he expects Argentina to be able to pay off its swap line with China, but that US government isn’t considering providing any direct credit.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Buenos Aires.

Foreign relations & diplomacy

US Treasury secretary offers 'full support' to Milei at Casa Rosada

Yesterday 17:29 US Treasury Scott Bessent visits Buenos Aires for talks with Javier Milei, his economic team and private-sector representatives; Official tells President he wants Washington to be Argentina's "partner of choice".

ECONOMY – ANALYSIS

IMF bets billions on Milei’s chainsaw to avert past debacles

13-04-2025 08:50 Frontloading disbursements is a controversial move that increases the IMF’s exposure to its biggest debtor, just as Milei faces the same policy dilemmas that have doomed his predecessors.

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

As I see it

Trump has China in the crosshairs

12-04-2025 05:41 The 19th century belonged to the United Kingdom, the 20th to the United States. And the 21st?

by James Neilson

Milei and Argentina caught in Trump's trade war with China.

Global politics – Analysis

Trump, Milei and how to lose the trust of markets and voters

12-04-2025 05:37 Trump stepped back from the edge, at least momentarily, even though he is keeping his finger on the trigger.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

Analysing Argentina

Careful Javier, the ‘caste’ smells blood

12-04-2025 05:29 Legislators who had until now been cooperative or aloof toward confrontation with Milei are changing their tune, in line with what they hear from their constituencies.

by Marcelo J. García

Campaign comments

And so it begins

12-04-2025 05:22 This year’s midterm voting begins tomorrow in the major province of Santa Fe with the constituent assembly elections.

by Michael Soltys

Editorial

Into More Frustrations

12-04-2025 05:06 A Ruby Tuesday for President Javier Milei while the world at large is in an acute age of uncertainty thanks to Donald Trump’s tariff onslaught.

Argentina's President Javier Milei announces the new agreement with the IMF (International Monetary Fund) surrounded by his Cabinet.

ECONOMIC CHANGES

Milei ends 'cepo' as IMF board approves US$20-billion bailout

11-04-2025 23:32 Milei declares "cepo is gone for good" as IMF unlocks US$12 billion in immediate funding and Argentina lifts capital controls in 48-month US$20-billion programme.

MERCOSUR SUMMIT

Mercosur to expand common tariff exemptions as trade war rages

11-04-2025 17:30 Mercosur countries have decided to relax common external tariffs on 50 products of the choice of each of its members, giving them more flexibility to negotiate deals.

Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso perform on Jimmy Fallon’s 'The Tonight Show'.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Stories that caught our eye: April 4 to 11

11-04-2025 16:56 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina and beyond.

EURO TRADE PLANS

EU races to expand two-trillion-euro trade network as US links sour

11-04-2025 13:49 The European Union is racing to clinch trade deals with countries around the world in an effort to diversify away from an increasingly protectionist United States.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Trump’s tariffs may speed EU–Mercosur deal, says Orsi

11-04-2025 10:09 Uruguay’s president sees US protectionism pushing Europe to compromise on stalled trade pact

ITALIAN PROBE

Di María, Paredes under investigation for illegal betting in Italy

11-04-2025 09:55 World Cup-winning national team stars Leandro Paredes and Ángel Di María among dozen footballers suspected of using clandestine platforms to bet on poker and other sports.

GLOBAL TRADE WAR

Trump stuns with tariff backtrack

10-04-2025 19:26 US President Donald Trump upends global markets and trade by U-turning on proposed tariffs; Benefit for Argentina is only temporarily, unless new deal reached.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent looks on as US President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House on April 09, 2025 in Washington, DC.

US-ARGENTINA RELATIONS

US Treasury secretary offers 'full support' to Milei ahead of visit

10-04-2025 17:26 In a show of support for President Javier Milei's "bold economic reforms," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will travel to Buenos Aires next week for meetings with government officials and business leaders.

The People’s Bank of China building in Beijing.

CURRENCY SWAP

Argentina renews part of China swap ahead of Bessent visit

10-04-2025 17:13 Argentina renews a portion of its US$18-billion currency swap line with China; Activated part being extended for another 12 months amounts to US$5 billion.

Mia Mottley, Michelle Bachelet, Rebeca Grynspan,, Juan Manuel Santos.

FUTURE OF UNITED NATIONS

Four Latin Americans who could become the UN’s next leader

10-04-2025 15:57 Latin American and Caribbean nations will seek to unite behind a single candidate in the contest to lead the United Nations, a move that see the first-ever female secretary-general.

Argentina's President Javier Milei, Uruguay's President Luis Lacalle Pou, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Paraguay's President Santiago Peña pose for the family picture of the LXV Mercosur Summit in Montevideo on December 6, 2024.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU offers timeline for final Mercosur deal proposal

10-04-2025 14:28 Top EU spokesperson says he wants to present a proposal for sweeping free-trade agreement before “end of summer,” with legal review ongoing.

Paraguay's President Santiago Peña and Argentina's President Javier Milei hug during a joint press conference following a meeting at the Palacio de Lopez government palace in Asunción on April 9, 2025.

Foreign policy & diplomacy

Milei hails shared values during talks with Paraguay’s Peña

09-04-2025 21:32 President met up with his Paraguayan counterpart, holding various meetings in Asunción during brief overseas trip.

General view during the IX Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) Summit, at the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH) in Tegucigalpa on April 9, 2025. A dozen Latin American and Caribbean presidents, including those of Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico, will meet during the 33-nation CELAC summit, in the midst of US President Donald Trump's trade war.

TRUMP'S TARIFF WAR

Strength in numbers: Latin America urges unity in face of Trump tariffs

09-04-2025 17:38 Latin American leaders at CELAC summit in Honduras call for a united front to tackle US President Donald Trump's tariff onslaught.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) dinner at the National Building Museum on April 08, 2025 in Washington, DC.

GLOBAL TRADE WAR

Trump pauses tariffs for 90 days but hits China harder

09-04-2025 17:00 In the midst of Donald Trump's rising tariffs he has called for quite a radical shift within his global trade war, which will affect many countries.

President Javier Milei with the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva.

NEW IMF PROGRAMME

IMF confirms preliminary agreement with Argentina for US$20-billion loan

09-04-2025 08:33 Multilateral lender says it has reached a staff-level agreement with President Milei's government on a new 48-month US$20-billion programme, subject to approval by executive board.

Javier Milei speaks in National Harbor, Maryland on February 22, 2025.

GEOPOLITICAL ROW

Milei caught in Trump-China spat over US$18-billion FX swap line

08-04-2025 16:47 Javier Milei is caught between US President Donald Trump and China’s communist government.

WORLD ECONOMY

Trump's trade representative says tariffs 'bearing fruit'

08-04-2025 12:33 Top US trade official Jamieson Greer says several countries – including Argentina, Vietnam and Israel – have offered to reduce sweeping tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt listens as US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters while in flight on Air Force One, en route to Joint Base Andrews on April 6, 2025.

'BLACK MONDAY'

Market panic deepens as Trump stands firm over tariffs

07-04-2025 09:45 Global stock market rout deepened on Monday and fears of recession rose after China retaliated against US President Donald Trump's tariffs and Europe calibrated its response.

This photo taken and handout on April 4, 2025 by The Vatican Media shows Pope Francis during a surprise appearance at the end of a mass for the sick and healthcare workers as part of the Jubilee Year in The Vatican.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Recovering Pope Francis surprises crowd at Vatican square

06-04-2025 09:33 Argentine pontiff makes surprise Sunday public appearance as he mingled with crowds at the Vatican.

Election time: Milei with Trump's support.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Midterms North and South

05-04-2025 06:48 Midterm results have tended to be adverse in both the United States and Argentina, from a government standpoint. In the former, a mere two of those 10 contests have gone the way of the presidential party – in the latter, the margin is narrower.

by Michael Soltys

Editorial

A double date

05-04-2025 06:36 Milei has yet to realise (or admit, if he does realise) that Trump is taking the United States into precisely the same direction from which he himself is struggling to pull out Argentina.

Julio Glinternick Bitelli, Brazil's Ambassador to Argentina.

Interview

Brazilian ambassador: Lula-Milei differences have 'minimal effect on bilateral relations’

05-04-2025 06:34 Brazil’s Ambassador to Argentina on managing bilateral relations, despite the enmity between Javier Milei and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Julio Bitelli on Jair Bolsonaro’s trial, the Malvinas issue, the flirtation between Argentina and the United States, the trade imbalance and the importance of Vaca Muerta.

by Cecilia Degl'Innocenti

President Javier Milei and his libertarian crew.

As I see it

Sailing blithely into the maelstrom

05-04-2025 06:15 Like Donald Trump with his error-prone minions, Javier Milei is accompanied by an entourage which includes far too many individuals who are unsuited for high office.

by James Neilson

Analysing Argentina

Can Cristina Fernández de Kirchner be the next Donald Trump?

05-04-2025 06:13 It is difficult to imagine a Fernández de Kirchner comeback à la Trump. Or rather, her comeback has already happened, no matter how much she denies it

by Marcelo J. García

POLITICS & ECONOMY – ANALYSIS

Milei: a tourist in Mar-a-Lago

05-04-2025 06:10 As Donald Trump rattles up the world with his tariffs, things are heating up domestically for President Javier Milei.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

Argentina wants a large portion of its new US$20-billion programme with the International Monetary Fund to be paid out immediately.

IMF PROGRAMME

IMF met again on Argentina as upfront payment proves contentious

04-04-2025 19:30 There is still no consensus among board members on the size of the upfront payment to Argentina, according to reports.

the week in review

Stories that caught our eye: March 29 to April 3

04-04-2025 17:00 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.

Javier Milei receives the Lion of Liberty award.

MILEI IN AMERICA

Milei says he will change Argentina’s laws to mitigate Trump's tariffs

04-04-2025 13:19 Argentina's President Javier Milei says he will not retaliate against US President Donald Trump's "reciprocal tariffs" and will ensure his nation's exports meet requirements.

President Javier Milei and US President Donald Trump.

MILEI IN AMERICA

Casa Rosada: ‘Technical issues’ meant no Milei-Trump photo

04-04-2025 13:06 Argentina’s government confirms President Javier Milei was unable to meet US President Donald Trump Thursday; Republican leader was unable to reach Mar-a-Lago due to a fault in his helicopter, which delayed his schedule, says Casa Rosada.

Foreign relations & diplomacy

Milei looks for IMF support, trade deal from Trump

03-04-2025 19:27 President in Florida to receive award; Milei seeking crucial backing from United States for new IMF programme, days after 10% tariffs are introduced.

WORLD ECONOMY

Trump sparks trade war with huge tariffs; 10% for Argentina

03-04-2025 01:01 Argentina, Brazil and most other countries in the region to face 10% reciprocal tariffs; US president’s trade tariffs likely to kick off global trade war, but Milei will seek exception.

Presssure on Javier Milei after president is accusing of pushing scam crypto token.

In focus: Cryptocurrencies

Political support leading to increasing fall-out for crypto

03-04-2025 00:42 Experts say recent support from Donald Trump and Javier Milei for memecoin cryptocurrencies has led to losses of several billion dollars for investors, weakening a sector still is seeking legitimacy.

Donald Trump shows off his trade tariffs board in the White House rose garden.

TRADE WARS

Trump tariffs everyone, with rate on China set to soar above 50%

03-04-2025 00:24 US President Donald Trump announces steepest US tariffs in a century, unnerving investors who see a trade war ahead.

President Javier Milei welcomes the head of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, to the Casa Rosada.

MULTILATERAL FUNDING

World Bank promises ‘significant support’ for Milei's Argentina

02-04-2025 17:33 "Significant support" promised by Ajay Banga, head of the World Bank, as he meets with President Javier Milei at the Casa Rosada.

Argentina's Defence Minister Luis Petri, President Javier Milei and Presidential Chief-of-Staff Karina Milei, arrive at a ceremony to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of the war between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands in Buenos Aires on April 2, 2025.

MALVINAS SOVEREIGNTY DISPUTE

Milei reiterates claim at Malvinas remembrance service

02-04-2025 17:32 President Javier Milei said Wednesday that he wants Argentina to become “a power" so that the inhabitants of the Malvinas "prefer to be Argentine."

Gabriel Boric, Chile's president, speaks during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States, on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

TRADE WARS

Trump attempting to be an ‘emperor,’ says Chile's Boric

02-04-2025 15:19 Chilean President says that at Trump’s inauguration, billionaires and tech gurus were “paying homage to someone who seems to pretend to be a new emperor.”

Javier Milei, Argentina's president, during an interview at Bloomberg House during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

Foreign relations & diplomacy

Milei to 'surely' meet Trump on US trip, says Werthein

02-04-2025 09:03 The two leaders will receive awards for their "conservative values" during a ceremony at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Javier Milei speaks to Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida on Nov. 14

MILEI TO AMERICA

Milei heads to Trump’s home base with IMF feal near finish line

02-04-2025 08:52 President Javier Milei will reportedly travel to Florida on Wednesday for talks with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

Dancer Marianela Núñez, principal at The Royal Ballet in London, receives an OBE from British monarch King Charles III.

DANCE & BALLET

Ballet dancer Marianela Núñez honoured with OBE from Charles III

01-04-2025 16:04 Legendary Argentine dancer Marianela Núñez, principal at The Royal Ballet in London, decorated with OBE by British monarch for “her service to dance.”

Aerial view of Siderurgica Huachipato, in Talcahuano, Bío Bío region, taken on September 11, 2024. Chile's largest steel plant shut down last year, yielding to cheaper production in China.

TRADE WARS

Trump tariffs threaten Latin American steel industry

01-04-2025 15:18 US president’s new tariffs, designed to protect American consumers, will put Latin America's steel industry on the ropes

Authorities in Argentina have arrested 15 foreigners as part of an investigation into human-trafficking, including an alleged Russian cult leader, according to local news reports.

CRIME & SECURITY

Russian cult leader, 14 others arrested in south of Argentina

01-04-2025 14:10 Authorities in Argentina have arrested 15 foreigners as part of an investigation into human-trafficking, including an alleged Russian cult leader, according to local news reports.

Pope Francis waves from a window of the Gemelli hospital before being discharged following a five weeks hospitalisation for pneumonia, in Rome on March 23, 2025.

Catholic Church

Convalescing Pope Francis's condition improving, says Vatican

01-04-2025 13:33 Vatican says there has been a "slight improvement" in Pope Francis's lungs as he recovers from five weeks in hospital with life-threatening pneumonia.

POLLING & SURVEYS

Latin Americans split on retaliation as Trump’s tariffs loom

01-04-2025 12:19 Half of Mexicans, Argentines and Brazilians want their governments to retaliate to Trump’s tariffs, with slightly smaller shares of Colombians and Chileans saying the same.

UNITED STATES POLITICS

Trump says 'not joking' about possible third term as US president

31-03-2025 14:25 US president repeats suggestion he might seek a third term: "There are methods which you could do it."

Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni welcomes Argentina's President Javier Milei at Palazzo Chigi prior their meeting in Rome on December 13, 2024.

ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP

Italy limits citizenship eligibility for descendants, affecting tens of thousands of Argentines

29-03-2025 08:38 Italy will limit its citizenship law based on blood ties to two generations, a move that could affect tens of thousands of Argentines.

Milei rides into space on Musk's SpaceX rocket.

Analysing Argentina

Will Elon Musk’s plumber pay for Milei’s trips abroad?

29-03-2025 06:11 There is reason behind the IMF’s decision to throw its weight behind President Milei, which means partnering with his political objectives too.

by Marcelo J. García

Editorial

Into More Frenzy

29-03-2025 06:11 Perhaps today’s economic situation is best explained by saying: “It’s the elections, stupid.”

People clash with anti-riot Airport Security Police (PSA) during a protest demanding an increase in pensions and against the government of President Javier Milei in front of the National Congress in Buenos Aires on March 26, 2025.

THE WEEK IN REIVEW

Stories that caught our eye: March 21 to 28

28-03-2025 17:59 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.

The first luncheon of the 90th anniversary of the University Women's Club had a guest of honour last Tuesday: outgoing (in every sense of the word) British Ambassador Kirsty Hayes.

COMMUNITY

UK ambassador hails 200 years of bilateral relations in luncheon

28-03-2025 12:19 First luncheon of the 90th anniversary of the University Women's Club had British Ambassador Kirsty Hayes as guest of honour.

by Michael Soltys

In this aerial view, the landmark Kuwait Towers and other skyscrapers pierce through the cloud cover over Kuwait City on December 10, 2023. March 29, 2025 will mark the International Cloud Day.

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE

Clouds and conspiracies: concerns over push to make rain

28-03-2025 12:06 As climate change drives floods and drought, rainmaking is in fashion across the world, despite mixed evidence that it works and concerns it can stoke cross-border tensions.

'CRYPTOGATE' SCANDAL

Prosecutor probes Milei assets in ‘$LIBRA’ Cryptogate case

27-03-2025 21:16 Federal prosecutor Eduardo Taiano gathering information regarding the assets of President Javier Milei, his sister Karina Milei and three businessmen.

Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni gestures during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Brazil at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on March 25, 2025.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

At present, the Albiceleste are unstoppable – even without Messi

27-03-2025 16:10 Why Argentina is doing well without superstar skipper Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni is doing everything right.

The frontpage of the 'El Mundo' newspaper records the day Argentina declared war.

On this day...

The day Argentina declared war on the Axis

27-03-2025 15:18 On March 27, 1945, 80 years ago, Argentina put an end to neutrality. “A state of war” was officially declared between the Argentine Republic and Germany, “in view of the latter's status as an ally of Japan.”

by Leonardo Torresi

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (right) shakes hands with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during their summit meeting at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo on March 26, 2025.

MERCOSUR TRADE

Lula urges Mercosur-Japan deal to counter Trump protectionism

26-03-2025 08:38 Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva calls for new trade deal between Mercosur bloc and Japan during visit to Tokyo.

Argentina's forward #09 Julian Alvarez celebrates with his teammates Argentina's defender #03 Nicolás Tagliafico, Argentina's midfielder #08 Enzo Fernandez and Argentina's midfielder #11 Thiago Almada after scoring his team's first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Brazil at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires province, on March 25, 2025.

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

Argentina thrash Brazil, clinch 2026 World Cup qualification

25-03-2025 22:35 Goals from Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Giovani Simeone secure a convincing 3-1 win over Brazil as Albiceleste becomes first South American side to book its place at the World Cup 2026.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Argentina's President Javier Milei hold hands on the balcony of the Casa Rosada after a meeting in Buenos Aires on November 17, 2024.

Foreign relations & diplomacy

Macron says Argentina ‘is a friend’ after call with Milei

25-03-2025 14:01 French President Emmanuel Macron declares in a post on social media that Argentina “is a friend” with which his government can "build the economy of the future."

A Nazi rally held at Luna Park stadium in Buenos Aires, on April 10, 1938.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

Argentina to declassify files on Nazis who sought refuge post-World War II

25-03-2025 11:59 Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos confirms that President Javier Milei has ordered the declassification of all official records concerning Nazis who sought refuge in Argentina after World War II, following a request from US Republican Senator Steve Daines back in February.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Pope Francis returns home from hospital, thanks faithful

23-03-2025 10:41 Pope Francis returns to the Vatican after being discharged from the hospital where he spent more than five weeks receiving treatment.

Former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner arrives at the closure of the National Educational Congress in Buenos Aires on March 22, 2025. The United States banned former Argentine president Cristina Kirchner and one of her ministers from entering the US on Friday, accusing them of corruption.

WASHINGTON SANCTION

US sanctions Fernández de Kirchner, De Vido for ‘corruption’

22-03-2025 17:33 United States government bans former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and ex-federal planning minister Julio de Vido from entering its territory, sanctioning them for “significant corruption.”

WASHINGTON SANCTION

US bans CFK, De Vido from entry over 'involvement in significant corruption'

22-03-2025 14:06 US State Department, under orders of Marco Rubio, issues statement confirming entry ban for former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, former federal planning minister Julio de Vido and their immediate family members.

by Cecilia Degl'Innocenti

WASHINGTON'S BAN ON CFK

United States bars Cristina Fernández de Kirchner from entry due to graft case

22-03-2025 09:37 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the decision to ban Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and her immediate family, as well as former public works minister Julio De Vido, “for significant corruption,” according to a statement.