ENERGY & GAS Milei vows to promote nuclear energy in Argentina Today 11:37 President vows to install nuclear reactors to power artificial intelligence servers across Argentina.
ANALYSING ARGENTINA Milei, Reagan and the 20% enemy rule Today 05:07 President Milei seems to be inverting Ronald Reagan’s equation – as in, disagree 20 percent of the time with me, and you are 80 percent my enemy. by Marcelo J. García
BEYOND THE HEADLINES Caste away Today 05:07 If our parliamentarians are going to be their own men or women, some way must be found of making them fully accountable to their voters. by Michael Soltys
EDITORIAL The near in blood, the nearer bloody Today 05:07 Time to stop being the snake biting its own tail and return to being the libertarian lion against the caste instead of co-opting it.
WAR ON THE STATE Milei’s ‘chainsaw’ cut nearly 35,000 public-sector jobs in 2024 Today 05:07 Report by the Deregulation & State Transformation Ministry, headed by Milei ally Federico Sturzenegger, details 34,280 dismissals or contract terminations between December 2023 and October 2024, shrinking the state payroll by seven percent.
POLITICS – ANALYSIS Milei’s ‘we want it all’ moment Today 05:07 We’re early into the experiment. But Javier and Karina, along with star political advisor Santiago Caputo, are already imagining the “Milei era,” which should last at least eight years and include control of the Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires City and Buenos Aires Province. by James Grainger
The Week in Review Stories that caught our eye: December 13 to 20 Yesterday 17:16 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
RAPE ALLEGATIONS Accuser in French rugby player rape trial vows to appeal ruling 19-12-2024 21:23 The woman denouncing two French rugby players for rape is ready to take the case to the highest instances, her lawyer says in an interview.
IMF NEGOTIATIONS OVER NEW DEAL IMF: Formal talks over new deal with Argentina have begun 19-12-2024 21:09 The International Monetary Fund and Argentina have formally begun negotiations over a new loan agreement as the current programme draws to a close.
POLITICS & COURTS Supreme Ct declares Insfrán’s indefinite re-election in Formosa unconstitutional 19-12-2024 19:02 The top tribunal unanimously ruled against unlimited re-election, blocking plans by Peronist governor to extend his term in power past 30-year mark.
ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY Argentina takes steps to speed up Milei’s dollarisation strategy 19-12-2024 15:38 Argentina’s government is working with major banks and payment firms to advance Javier Milei’s dollarisation strategy.
AGRICULTURE & ECONOMY Distressed fund wins key role in bankruptcy case of soy exporter Vicentin 19-12-2024 15:03 Esteban Nofal, who runs Cima Investments SA, has swept up almost 35% of Vicentin’s US$1.3 billion of unsecured debt from a group of global banks for just 11 cents on the dollar.
ENERGY & GAS Shell signs accord with Argentina’s YPF to develop LNG plant 19-12-2024 14:57 Shell Plc has signed an agreement with Argentina’s state-run energy company YPF SA to work on a plan to export liquefied natural gas.
HUMAN RIGHTS Amnesty Int’l urges Milei to respect rights after year of ‘confrontation’ 19-12-2024 14:18 Data compiled by rights NGO shows more than 1,100 people were injured in protest “repression” during Milei’s first year in office by James Grainger
NEW IMF PROGRAMME IMF in talks with Argentina on loan to succeed US$44-billion deal 19-12-2024 14:13 International Monetary Fund confirms it has formally opened talks with President Javier Milei's government over a new loan programme to replace its existing US$44-billion deal.
ECONOMIC POLICY Milei, Caputo increasing bullish as they outline new IMF deal timeline 19-12-2024 09:50 Argentina eyes fresh accord with the International Monetary Fund in the first third of next year, with President Milei confident of strong support, both at the Fund and on trade, from incoming US president Donald Trump.
BILATERAL SPAT Chile sends note of protest to Argentina after Caputo's criticism of Boric 19-12-2024 09:25 Chile has sent a note of protest to Argentina’s government after its economy minister Luis Caputo branded President Gabriel Boric a "communist" who will "sink" the nation.
Maduro clampdown in Venezuela Colombia offers to safeguard Maduro foes as stand-off deepens 19-12-2024 08:33 Colombia offers to take custody of Argentina’s Embassy in Caracas, where six of opposition leader María Corina Machado’s aides have been sheltering since March.
CRISTINA & THE COURTS Hotesur-Los Sauces: Supreme Court confirms trial for Fernández de Kirchner 18-12-2024 17:05 Nation’s top tribunal knocks back an appeal presented by ex-president’s defence team and confirms case will head to trial.
FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA Vélez may have stumbled to finish line, but are worthy champions 18-12-2024 15:55 If ‘El Fortín’ can keep this side together and strengthen in the summer, they have a great chance of fighting for honours again in 2025. by Dan Edwards
AVIATION ACCIDENT Two killed as private jet overshoots runway in San Fernando 18-12-2024 15:22 Tragic accident in Buenos Aires Province; Private jet misses runaway and crashes into houses near small airport of San Fernando. Two pilots aboard the aircraft perished in tragedy.
COURTS Comodoro Py asks Milei to declassify Nisman intelligence documents 18-12-2024 15:20 Federal court asks President to open up files from intelligence services in order to advance investigation into AMIA special prosecutor Alberto Nisman’s death almost a decade ago.
BUSINESS & INVESTMENT Creditors agree to restructuring for Argentina’s Clisa 18-12-2024 14:34 Creditors agree to debt rework with Clisa, holding company behind Buenos Aires metro company operators.
BILATERAL ROW Milei slams ‘dictator’ Maduro, demands release of detainee 17-12-2024 22:59 President Javier Milei on Tuesday demands immediate release of detained Argentine Border Guard officer from "criminal dictator" Nicolás Maduro's regime.
OBITUARY Author and literary critic Beatriz Sarlo dies aged 82 17-12-2024 22:44 Literary critic, essayist, university professor and sociologist had been hospitalised in the Sanatorio Otamendi for the last three weeks after suffering a stroke. Renowned columnist was one of the inescapable figures of Argentine culture.
BUSINESS & INVESTMENT Argentina’s Aconcagua eyes global bond market, foray into shale 17-12-2024 15:23 Oil driller Petrolera Aconcagua Energia SA is looking to sell an international bond, swooping into an opening for Argentine energy corporates that’s materialised with President Javier Milei’s free-market reforms.
CRISTINA & THE COURTS The trials that could block Cristina Fernández Kirchner from office 17-12-2024 15:00 The former president and vice-president faces four sets of legal proceedings in the courts; Cristina Fernández de Kirchner must stand trial in the ‘Hotesur-Los Sauces’ case, alongside her son, with other trials relating to the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran and sweeping ‘Cuadernos’ graft trial. ‘Vialidad’ ruling also expected in 2025.
POLITICS Milei vs Villarruel: Latest episode in ongoing feud 17-12-2024 13:29 In Victoria Villarruel’s camp, there is surprise at the Executive's attitude. A failed attempt at reconciliation as the Casa Rosada’s satellites launch a full-frontal assault on their own ally. by Giselle Leclercq
CRIME & SECURITY Interpol arrests 26 on triple border for deforestation, trafficking of native trees 17-12-2024 08:32 Paraguayan police arrest 26 people in Interpol-led operation for illegal deforestation and trafficking of native quebracho wood trees on the border between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
MONETARY POLICY Argentina weighs managed exchange rate once it lifts currency controls 16-12-2024 19:44 President Javier Milei's government is weighing whether to introduce a managed exchange rate regime — a “dirty float” — once it lifts its current foreign exchange controls in 2025.
POLLING & SURVEYS Argentines says no politician would get New Year’s Eve invite 16-12-2024 15:18 With the holiday season in full swing, consulting firm Giacobbe y Asociados decided to ask Argentines which politician they’d like to invite to their New Year’s Eve festivities. The answer, unsurprisingly, was none of them.
BILATERAL TENSIONS Government demands action over Venezuela’s ‘unjustified’ detentions 16-12-2024 15:13 Argentina’s government criticises Venezuela over “arbitrary” and “unjustified” detention of Gendarmerie (Border Guard) first corporal Nahuel Agustín Gallo on alleged espionage claims.
DIPLOMACY & FOREIGN POLICY Milei expects to attend Trump’s inauguration as US president 16-12-2024 08:00 President Javier Milei is expected to attend US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington DC on January 20.
FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA Title joy for Vélez Sarsfield after decade-long drought 16-12-2024 07:44 Vélez Sarsfield crowned champions of the 2024 Liga Profesional de Fútbol after defeating title rivals Huracán 2-0 on the final day of the season.
Foreign policy & diplomacy Criticism as Italy fast-tracks citizenship for President, Karina Milei 14-12-2024 08:24 President Javier Milei, in Italy on an overseas visit, and his sister Karina Milei have been granted fast-tracked citizenship by the Italian government, sparking anger among government critics.
BEYOND THE HEADLINES 'Cause I was the taxwoman 14-12-2024 05:39 ARCA (until recently AFIP) tax bureau chief Florencia Misrahi’s dismissal could be worth a closer look to have some idea of where the Milei government is heading as its second year begins. by Michael Soltys
POLITICS – ANALYSIS A busy week for corruption 14-12-2024 05:37 Edgardo Kueider’s situation is explicit, bombastic. But not uncommon in Argentine politics. by Agustino Fontevecchia
the week in review Stories that caught our eye: December 6 to 13 13-12-2024 20:05 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
MILEI AWAITS TRUMP IMF moves goal-posts for Argentina – no definitions until April 13-12-2024 15:25 The International Monetary Fund has presented Javier Milei with two conditions which must be met before any further remittance beyond the US$44.5 billion loaned to Mauricio Macri – obtain Congress endorsement for taking on new debt and making structural changes. by Carlos Burgueño
DIPLOMACY Trump names Peter Lamelas as next US ambassador to Argentina 13-12-2024 14:13 Cuba-born doctor and Republican donor, who recently met President Javier Milei at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, says appointment is “incredible honour.”
Football in Argentina Tripartite showdown guarantees exciting end to gruelling season 13-12-2024 13:33 Not since 2014 have three teams reached the final day of the season with the chance to win the domestic title. Vélez Sarsfield, Talleres and Huracán are separated by just two points at the top for a showdown that promises drama. by Dan Edwards
Congress & Politics Entre Ríos lawmaker accused of money-laundering expelled from Senate 13-12-2024 13:29 Entre Ríos Senator Edgardo Kueider expelled from upper house while detained in Paraguay on suspicion of money-laundering; He and other detainee found with more than US$200,000 in cash as he attempted to cross border.
lithium mining Rio Tinto to invest US$2.5 billion in lithium production 13-12-2024 13:24 Anglo-Australian mining giant announces US$2.5-billion investment in Rincón project in Salta Province, with chief executive praising Milei’s reforms and RIGI scheme.
HEALTH & ECONOMY Government: Prepaid health schemes face probe for alleged ‘cartel practices’ 12-12-2024 18:48 Following investigation into co-ordinated fee increases between last December and last April, Presidential Spokesperson Manuel Adorni states CNDC anti-monopoly watchdog has initiated summary proceedings against several prepaid health schemes and former chamber president Claudio Belocopitt.
POLITICS – ANALYSIS United yet disorganised: Peronism comes to terms with a year of Milei 12-12-2024 18:10 What remains of the Unión por la Patria coalition could only manage a photo-op and is far from placing things in order. The internal differences and disputes stalling the bid to reach unity in 2025. by Rosario Ayerdi
ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY Argentines no longer love the dollar, thanks to Milei 12-12-2024 16:07 Argentines have preferred the US dollar over the Argentine peso for decades – Milei may have achieved what once looked unachievable.
BUSINESS & FINANCE JPMorgan plans to hire 1,500 workers for global hub in Argentina 12-12-2024 15:27 JPMorgan Chase & Co plans to add 1,500 workers to its Buenos Aires corporate center over the next five years. Argentina’s skilled workforce, English language proficiency and alignment with US time zones help make it a strategic hub.
International football FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host 12-12-2024 13:37 Football’s world governing body also finalises plans for 2030 tournament, awarding one opening match of tournament to Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay in concession to CONMEBOL.
POLITICS Fernández de Kirchner takes on leadership of Partido Justicialista 11-12-2024 23:57 Former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner formally takes over the chair of the Partido Justicialista.
OPINION & ANALYSIS Who was Milei’s audience? 11-12-2024 23:45 With an almost religious hope of 2025 being a growth year, President Milei used his first anniversary address to talk to the ‘círculo rojo’ business establishment and his run-off voters, with no concrete announcements for ordinary people. by Javier Calvo