News of debt

New minister Batakis takes office in an Argentina full of uncertainty

07-07-2022 23:34 Silvina Batakis faces a number of key challenges and decisions; Issues like inflation, the IMF deal, the fiscal deficit and subsidies top her in-tray.

IMF ‘looking forward’ to working with Batakis at ‘difficult moment’

07-07-2022 16:06 New economy minister speaks with multilateral lender’s chief Kristalina Georgieva, who says Batakis confirmed her “commitment” to IMF refinancing programme.

IMF board approves first review of Argentina debt programme

24-06-2022 16:15 Executive board of International Monetary Fund signs off on first quarterly review, approving Martín Guzmán figures for US$44.5-billion debt programme and paying way for new disbursement of funds.

2,800 Argentines slipping into poverty every day, experts warn

23-06-2022 23:20 Private estimates reveal horrifying social data underlining that being employed, whether formally or informally, is no guarantee against being poor. With annual inflation approaching three digits and sustained price increases for food and beverages above the monthly average, family incomes are increasingly falling short.

by Gonzalo Martínez

Jubilant Gustavo Petro elected Colombia's first leftist president

20-06-2022 14:35 Ex-guerrilla Gustavo Petro elected Colombia's first ever left-wing president after defeating millionaire businessman rival Rodolfo Hernández in run-off.

Ex-guerrilla takes on maverick in race to be Colombia's president

18-06-2022 01:20 A former leftist guerrilla and a millionaire businessman will go head-to-head on Sunday hoping to become the new president of Colombia.

Argentina clears first review as IMF paves way for US$4-billion in funds

09-06-2022 00:34 IMF confirms it has reached a staff-level agreement with Argentina that will unlock US$4.03 billion in funding; Multilateral lender says government “met all qualitative targets in first quarter."

Argentina formalises debt repayment deferment with Paris Club

31-05-2022 13:07 President Alberto Fernández's government reaches a deal with the Paris Club to postpone payments on more than US$2 billion of debt for more than two years.

IMF: Targets in Argentina’s debt deal ‘have not changed’

19-05-2022 16:09 Fund Spokesperson Gerry Rice says staff are making “good progress” in review of debt restructuring deal, but that its “objectives have not changed.”

Colombia’s number one banker has no fear of leftist front-runner

19-05-2022 08:00 Luis Carlos Sarmiento Gutiérrez would figure to be one of the people fretting the most about the looming election of the first left-wing leader in Colombia’s modern history. But, at least publicly, he betrays little angst about the outcome of the vote this month. 

Bond chaos in Argentina sparks traders’ rush to provincial notes

25-04-2022 15:36 Investors are snapping up securities issued by the provinces of Córdoba, Neuquén, Mendoza and Chubut, turning them into the nation’s top performers this month.

Guzmán tells IMF: ‘We will prioritise social spending’

22-04-2022 23:34 Economy minister meets with International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva, tells her Argentina’s government has complied with targets laid out in US$44.5-billion debt restructuring deal.

IMF approves Argentina’s US$45-billion deal already facing risks

25-03-2022 16:40 The International Monetary Fund has approved Argentina’s US$45-billion agreement, the final step to cement a deal that’s already facing economic and political challenges. 

Sergio Massa: ‘I stopped basing my politics on articles or opinion polls a long time ago’

25-03-2022 12:00 Lower House speaker on tensions in the ruling coalition, the approval of the IMF debt deal and whether he’ll run for the Presidency in 2023.

by Jorge Fontevecchia

IMF board to meet Friday to discuss Argentine debt deal

19-03-2022 18:46 The International Monetary Fund announced Saturday that its board of directors will discuss Argentina’s US$45-billion agreement on March 25, the final step of approval after two years of negotiations.

IMF admits Ukraine war will impact targets in Argentina’s new programme

18-03-2022 17:50 International Monetary Fund admits economic consequences of Russia's attack on Ukraine will likely impact upon targets outlined in Argentina’s new financing programme.

Senate prepares to debate IMF deal after lower house backs bill

11-03-2022 16:25 Upper house to begin debate on bill on Monday, with government seeking approval before start of following week, when US$2.9-billion maturity is due.

Lawmakers in lower house approve deal with IMF to repay debt

11-03-2022 10:07 Lawmakers in the lower house approve a deal with the International Monetary Fund to restructure US$45-billion debt; Senate must still vote to back deal.

Federico Sturzenegger: ‘Once the Central Bank is independent, the planets align’

10-03-2022 15:50 Economist Federico Sturzenegger on his time leading the Central Bank, Economy Minister Martín Guzmán and Argentina’s IMF debt deals in 2018 and 2022.

by Jorge Fontevecchia

Government to change IMF bill to get opposition backing

09-03-2022 21:42 Ruling coalition agrees to change the bill that underpins the government’s agreement with the IMF in exchange for the opposition to support it.