EDITORIAL Muddling and meddling in the middle of the year Today 07:00 If 1974 saw the death of the founder of the Peronist movement 48 years ago yesterday, the current head is looking hardly more alive politically – and far more nominal in his authority.
POLITICS & ECONOMY Fernández vows to comply with IMF objectives as crisis talk grows Yesterdat 11:33 Peronist leader says Argentina is committed to reducing fiscal deficit and boosting Central Bank reserves, despite renewed talk of financial crisis.
G7 SUMMIT President condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at G7 summit 27-06-2022 17:06 Alberto Fernández criticises “economic system that allows wealth to accumulate in the hands of the few” at meeting of world leaders in Bavaria.
FOREIGN POLICY Fernández calls for Argentina's incorporation into the BRICS group 24-06-2022 13:15 BRICS members said in a declaration issued late Thursday that they "support talks between Russia and Ukraine" but did not lay out a pathway towards ending the war.
Political economy Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s ‘stupid state,’ piqueteros and inflation 24-06-2022 10:53 A lot of what Argentina’s vice-president says appears sound, but when put in context, it becomes nothing more than a series of half-truths. by Agustino Fontevecchia
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO Daniel Scioli: ‘In 2015, I proposed Wado as my running-mate to Cristina’ 24-06-2022 09:17 Argentina’s newly installed productive development minister discusses bilateral relations with Brazil and its upcoming election, his return to the Cabinet and Frente de Todos’ chances in 2023. by Jorge Fontevecchia
DEBT SWAP Guzmán surprises markets with last-minute debt bond swap 23-06-2022 00:00 Economy Ministry eases 60% of June debt burden in local swap, drastically reducing pressure on the government; Government makes US$2.7-billion payment to IMF.
ANALYSIS Argentina’s annual inflation reaches 61% as investors worry 14-06-2022 18:08 Price gains reach almost 61% in annual terms as investors worry about the government’s ability to pay its local debt.
POLITICS Fernández, Guzmán seek special tax on Ukraine war windfall profits 06-06-2022 21:34 Reacting to tensions in the ruling coalition, President Alberto Fernández vows to move ahead with windfall profits tax and tells Congress it has the “obligation to support” the bill.
POLITICS Manzur tells senators: Inflation is Argentina’s ‘main problem’ 02-06-2022 20:52 Eight-and-a-half months after taking office, Cabinet chief delivers first management report before Senate, warning that attempts to tackle price hikes will take some time.
FEATURE With 58% inflation, nobody in Argentina knows the price of anything 31-05-2022 12:47 With inflation at 58% and accelerating, Argentina's economy is an outlier even in a world where prices are taking off almost everywhere.
POLITICS Feletti resigns as domestic trade secretary, strengthening Guzmán's hand 23-05-2022 17:21 Kirchnerite official steps down as head of Domestic Trade Secretariat, strengthening position of Economy Minister Martín Guzmán.
ECONOMY & FOREIGN POLICY Argentina moves closer to joining BRICS group 21-05-2022 12:00 China and Brazil support bid, according to reports; President Alberto Fernández says joining is chance to institutionalise “new world order based on development.”
POLITICS & ECONOMY Can’t see the forest for the trees 21-05-2022 06:01 The internal struggles between Alberto and Cristina, along with the rift with the opposition, trivialise the issue of export duties and other much needed reforms that would allow Argentina to unlock its potential. by Agustino Fontevecchia
ALBERTO IN EUROPE Argentina looks to Spain as an entry point for its gas to Europe 10-05-2022 16:33 Argentina intends to sell gas to Europe in the coming years and Spain could be its gateway, President Alberto Fernández tells Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid.
ANALYSIS Vice-President Fernández de Kirchner slams government over economy 07-05-2022 00:08 Cristina Fernández de Kirchner lambasted her own government’s management of the economy Friday, fuelling already high tensions with President Alberto Fernández.
As I see it A culture of irresponsibility 07-05-2022 00:02 Much as many dislike the idea, elected politicians have to take full responsibility for managing the country’s economy. by James Neilson
AND THAT REMINDS ME… Windfalls or smokescreens? 23-04-2022 00:01 In proposing to milk any commodity price bonanza arising from the Ukraine war without offering anything to recoup losses, the government is blatantly applying a “heads I win, tails you lose” logic. by Michael Soltys
BLOOMBERG – ANALYSIS Argentina’s inflation surged to 20-year high in March 13-04-2022 21:07 Consumer prices in Argentina rose 6.7% in March, up 55.1% over past year; Rift between top two political leaders hampers inflation fight.
FOREIGN POLICY Argentina, Bolivia call for preservation of democracy in Peru 07-04-2022 23:14 Luis Arce and Alberto Fernández express "concern" over events in Peru and called for “the attention of all Latin American leaders” to be directed at the troubled nation.
ENERGY Fernández secures ‘guaranteed’ gas supply from Bolivia 07-04-2022 23:06 Luis Arce’s government commits itself to delivering a daily 14 million cubic metres of gas to Argentina this winter, the same volume as last winter; Amount could rise to 18 million if Brazil’s energy requirements are lower.
POLITICS & ECONOMY Argentina to hold talks with Bolivia and Brazil over gas supplies 05-04-2022 16:59 Alberto Fernández will receive his Bolivian counterpart Luis Arce on Thursday to begin negotiations over the supply of gas during the cold Winter months.
IMF DEBT DEAL IMF admits new Argentina debt deal faces ‘high risks’ 01-04-2022 19:50 Gerry Rice, spokesman for the multilateral lender, concedes agreement faces “high risks” due to social and economic situation, war in Ukraine.
Bloomberg War in Ukraine has Argentina reverting to protectionist playbook 19-03-2022 19:16 Argentina's government is once again meddling in export markets, this time as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukrain.
'WAR ON INFLATION' President Fernández calls for extraordinary steps to tackle inflation 19-03-2022 19:09 Peronist leader says his ministers would start rolling out new measures immediately against inflation.
'WAR ON INFLATION' President Fernández hails 'historic' congressional backing for IMF deal 18-03-2022 21:59 Peronist leader unveils his "war on inflation" as he vows to tackle runaway price increases in wake of agreement with International Monetary Fund.
IMF DEBT DEAL Congress greenlights debt deal – ball now in IMF’s court 18-03-2022 21:46 US$45-billion agreement signed into law by president; Deal now needs approval by IMF’s Executive Board.
INTERVIEW / PERIODISMO PURO 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
BLOOMBERG Argentina inks US$45-billion staff-level IMF deal in key step 03-03-2022 21:02 Staff-level accord, which includes commitments to narrow fiscal deficit and money-printing while unwinding energy subsidies, will seek to address “persistent” high inflation and public finances.
'MARCH THE TERRIBLE' Sense of dread grows in Argentina with difficult March ahead 18-02-2022 18:52 Crucial factors come into play next month. Soaring inflation, strained reserves, debate over the IMF deal and public-service tariffs are making March into a pressure cooker.
PRESIDENT'S FOREIGN TOUR Argentina joins China’s Belt and Road initiative, eyes US$23 billion investment 06-02-2022 08:28 President Alberto Fernández signs Argentina up to China’s sweeping global initiative; Final details discussed at bilateral meeting between Peronist leader and Chinese Premier Xi Jingping.
PRESIDENT'S FOREIGN TOUR Xi's Olympic diplomacy blitz nets Argentina for China's Belt and Road 06-02-2022 07:54 Chinese state broadcaster CCTV confirms Xi and Alberto Fernández have inked an agreement on "jointly promoting the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road," marking Argentina's entry into the initiative.
EDITORIAL Into More Frustration 04-02-2022 23:13 The distinction between an “agreement” and an “understanding” might seem like semantic quibbling but there is a world of difference. Máximo Kirchner and other critics within and beyond the government might be entitled to a certain scepticism as to the rosy picture painted by President Fernández a week ago.
IMF DEBT TALKS Guzmán’s wet dream 28-01-2022 22:14 It isn’t entirely clear whether this is a good or a bad agreement for Argentina, but there should be no doubts that the beleaguered nation needed to reach some sort of deal with the IMF ahead of an impossible debt calendar. by Agustino Fontevecchia
alberto's foreign tour Trip to Russia, China puts Argentina’s ‘círculo rojo’ on orange alert 28-01-2022 17:07 Concerns among the group of influential decision-makers dubbed the “círculo rojo” are increasing, with unrest over the president’s tour destinations and doubts over a new IMF deal.
ALBERTO’S FOREIGN TOUR Alberto’s mission: Selling his support for Russia and China – at a high price 28-01-2022 17:04 Putin and Xi are two of the biggest political leaders in the world, beyond any doubt, but they are also among the most denounced. by Maximiliano Sardi
BLOOMBERG – ANALYSIS IMF payment deepens divide within Argentina’s ruling coalition 27-01-2022 16:56 Argentina’s looming deadline to make an interest payment of over US$700 million to the International Monetary Fund on Friday is exposing a growing divide within the ruling coalition.
IMF DEBT TALKS Cerruti says IMF payment depends on progress in talks 27-01-2022 16:37 Government spokesperson refuses to confirm if country will make US$730-million payment to the IMF this Friday, saying decision depends on the progress of talks.
IMF DEBT DEAL Pressure for IMF-Argentina deal as 2022 payments loom 27-01-2022 16:15 With US$730 million due to the International Monetary Fund this Friday, Argentina starts a schedule of payments totalling US$19 billion for 2022.
BLOOMBERG Argentina asks China to expand yuan swap to strengthen reserves 26-01-2022 13:48 Argentina has already requested the increase and the topic will be discussed next week in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping when President Alberto Fernández travels there for the Winter Olympics, a second person said.
DIPLOMACY Lunch with Putin in Russia, trips to China and Barbados – details emerge of president’s next trip 24-01-2022 22:16 President Alberto Fernández's upcoming tour will see him hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Russia and China. A meeting with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has also been lined up, according to diplomatic sources.
IMF DEBT TALKS Key week for IMF talks: Argentina due to pay US$731 million on Friday 24-01-2022 14:59 With talks failing to make serious headway, Argentina's government must now decide whether it will make a payment on the principal worth US$731 million this Friday.
POLITICS: ANALYSIS Argentina, trying to sit at the ‘big boys’ table’ 21-01-2022 23:30 It’s a curious thing how Argentina manages to invite itself to the ‘big boys’ table’ just as things are about to get hairy. by Agustino Fontevecchia
CRISTINA WRITES (AGAIN) Fernández de Kirchner slams ‘Pandemia Macrista’ in latest letter 21-01-2022 23:14 With IMF talks entering crucial stage, vice-president’s latest letter declares controversially that “Macri’s pandemic cost more than Covid-19."
IMF DEBT TALKS Andrés Manuel López Obrador calls on IMF to offer 'fair' deal to Argentina 21-01-2022 23:05 Andrés Manuel López Obrador calls on IMF to take "responsibility" for 2018 loan to Macri's government, which Mexican leader says "aggravated" Argentina's economic and financial crisis.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Argentina more than halves 2021 budget deficit amid IMF talks 21-01-2022 22:56 Argentina sharply reduced its budget deficit in 2021 as President Alberto Fernández tries to cut down on spending amid talks with the International Monetary Fund.
IMF DEBT TALKS Nobelist Stiglitz rebuffed after praising Argentina’s 'economic miracle' 21-01-2022 18:06 Nobel laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz is facing a wave of criticism from peers after he claimed crisis-prone Argentina is witnessing “an economic miracle.”
FOREIGN POLICY United States supports 'a vibrant Argentine economy,' Blinken tells Cafiero 18-01-2022 21:30 Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington for talks, with the latter describing Argentina as "a friend and partner" of the United States.
INTERVIEW Guzmán: ‘IMF risks losing legitimacy if Argentina destabilises’ 18-01-2022 14:14 Economy Minister Martín Guzmán discusses ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund and warns the lender risks losing credibility if it "pushes" the country "into a destabilising situation."
IMF DEBT TALKS Fernández accuses IMF of seeking to ‘impose austerity’ on Argentina 11-01-2022 11:04 President Alberto Fernández accuses IMF of seeking to “impose” a programme of “austerity” on Argentina that would limit future growth.