News of fernandez

More than 9,000 new virus cases as infections surpass 710,000

Today 09:18 Argentina has recorded 711,325 infections of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, with more than 129,000 of those still confirmed as active.

ABORTION DEBATE

Activists renew call for abortion reform in Argentina

Yesterdat 22:06 Activists from Amnesty International stage unusual protest outside National Congress building, as part of a publicity campaign renewing their demand for free, legal and safe abortion in Argentina.

THE WEEK

What we learned this week: September 19 to 26

26-09-2020 09:29 Our pick of the stories from the last seven days in Argentina.

LA GRIETA

What we've got here is failure to communicate

26-09-2020 09:13 There are at least two major elements to conducting public policy: the construction and execution of successful strategic plans and their communication, in order to generate the correct expectations.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

New financing programme

IMF says it will send mission team to Argentina in October

24-09-2020 18:50 IMF says a mission team will visit Argentina at the start of next month, as talks over a new financing programme begin in earnest.

UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Bolivia's leader criticises Argentina at UN for harbouring Evo Morales

23-09-2020 18:18 Bolivia's interim leader criticises Argentina for its "harbouring" of the country's former president Evo Morales, who she accuses of conspiring to foment unrest in her country.

UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Fernández reiterates Malvinas sovereignty claim in first UN appearance

22-09-2020 22:40 President expresses support for multilateralism and challenges world leaders to use the health crisis as a moment of inflection to find solutions for other scourges as well.

Coronavirus pandemic

Anti-government protesters take to streets across country

20-09-2020 22:30 Rallies take place in cities across Argentina for a second consecutive Saturday, as demonstrators express anger at coronavirus lockdown, currency controls, controversial transfer of judges and judicial reform bill.

CORRUPTION, CONGRESS & THE COURTS

Fernández issues decree formalising removal of judges probing CFK

19-09-2020 10:25 Opposition walks out of Senate vote to decide fate of magistrates promoted during Macri presidency, accusing government of seeking impunity for Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

AS I SEE IT

Making the most of failure

19-09-2020 10:01 Argentina has long been in the hands of individuals who reach power by attributing the country’s woes to the stupidity of their political rivals, but who once in office do not have the slightest idea of how to improve matters.

by James Neilson

POLITICS & THE PANDEMIC

Dollar blues

19-09-2020 09:51 Argentina’s exasperating affair with the dollar is a recurring issue.

by Martín Gambarotta

CAPITAL CONTROLS

Pesce and Guzmán split over curbs on dollar purchases

19-09-2020 09:26 Government’s economic team split on latest crackdown, as well as how long new rules should remain in place.

EDITORIAL

Anything but green

19-09-2020 09:11 The intensified capital controls so rattling market confidence may have been a hasty improvisation but were in no way on the spur of the moment – on the contrary, they stem from months of procrastination and denial.

TRADE & BUSINESS

Fernández asks firms to trust Argentina amid reports of ‘exodus’

19-09-2020 08:47 Business decisions by Falabella and Glovo grab the headlines and spark speculation, with the former announcing it will shutter four stores and the latter selling off all its Latin America operations.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Government extends coronavirus lockdown until October 11

19-09-2020 08:33 Government warns citizens not to relax as infections reach 613,000. Buenos Aires City to relax some measures as surge in cases draws attention to inland provinces.

CAPITAL CONTROLS

Fernandez defends new currency controls as blue dollar soars

19-09-2020 08:25 Economists question wisdom of new Central Bank measures, which hit small savers as well as companies. Blue dollar closes week at more than 140 per greenback.

BLOOMBERG

Offshore millionaires become target of wealth tax bill

17-09-2020 19:34 Government plans to broaden bill imposing taxes on the rich in order to reach non-residents and their investments in Argentine companies, according to lawmaker Carlos Heller.

CONGRESS, CORRUPTION & THE COURTS

Fernández signs decree formalising removal of judges investigating CFK

17-09-2020 19:21 In wake of Senate vote boycotted by opposition, president signs three decrees to annul transfers of three judges involved in corruption cases against Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

Bloomberg

Pesce, Guzmán split over curbs on dollar purchases

17-09-2020 16:19 Argentina's economic team split on latest crackdown, as well as how long new rules should remain in place.

Bloomberg

Argentina bonds fall with tighter foreign-exchange controls

16-09-2020 23:23 Argentine bonds fell Wednesday after the government expanded restrictions on foreign exchange in an attempt to hold onto US dollars as reserves dwindle.

CURRENCY CONTROLS

Central Bank tightens currency controls as peso weakens

16-09-2020 10:29 Central Bank tightens conditions for the purchase of foreign currency, to prevent hoarding, preserve reserves and discourage demand for US dollars.

Budget proposal

Fernández's first Budget projects 5.5% growth in 2021

16-09-2020 01:17 Government's budget bill forecast for 2021: economic growth of 5.5%, primary fiscal deficit of 4.5%, inflation at 29% and 102 pesos per dollar.

Bloomberg

Argentines are abandoning a trade that hedged currency risk

14-09-2020 16:02 Dollar-linked instruments in the local market are being abandoned amid speculation government will create a weaker parallel exchange rate while giving investors less favourable terms.

Former president

Macri 'breaks silence' to launch fierce attack on Fernández

13-09-2020 23:52 Former president pens column for La Nación, accusing Peronist leader of leading a “systematic and permanent attack” on Constitution.

IMF DEBT TALKS

Guzmán: Argentina wants IMF deal with no payments until 2024

13-09-2020 22:50 Economy minister says Argentina wants to delay all IMF loan repayments until 2024 at the earliest in interview with La Nación.

AS I SEE IT

The cracks keep widening

12-09-2020 10:30 People the world over are getting more irascible by the day, and the unease so many feel is making governments everywhere nervous.

by James Neilson

INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Trump’s candidate set for IDB presidency as Argentina pulls out

12-09-2020 10:25 Government pulls Gustavo Beliz out of the running, leaving Mauricio Claver-Carone as only candidate to lead Inter-American Development Bank.

POLICE MUTINY

Provincial police spark anger and action with pay rebellion

12-09-2020 09:28 Protests by Buenos Aires Province police force seize nation’s attention, sparking criticism from lawmakers and a controversial response from President Fernández.

REVENUE-SHARING ROW

Opposition anger at ‘unconstitutional’ federal revenue-sharing move

12-09-2020 09:00 Buenos Aires City Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta said the president had chosen “division” over “dialogue.”

debt talks

IMF in 'initial stages' of Argentina loan talks: official

10-09-2020 18:27 The IMF is in the early phase of talks with Argentina over a new financing programme, and is gathering information on how best to help the country, confirms spokesperson.

Provincial police rebel

Fernández tries to defuse protests by Buenos Aires Province police

09-09-2020 23:27 Police officers in Buenos Aires Province escalate protests, with a group congregating outside the Olivos presidential residence. President Alberto Fernández vows to meet demands but criticises demonstration.

Coronavirus pandemic

High daily tally pushes Argentina past 500,000 infections

08-09-2020 22:23 Country recorded more than 12,000 confirmed cases in a day for only the second time, pushing total past half a million. Death toll reaches 10,405.

POLICE PROTEST

Police officers in Buenos Aires Province protest to demand better salaries

08-09-2020 15:59 Government promises pay increase after retired and active police officers stage demonstration outside Governor Kicillof's residence in La Plata to demand urgent salary increases and more protective equipment to protect against Covid-19.

Travel & Tourism

Transport minister says 'return of regular flights' may begin on October 1

08-09-2020 14:46 Commercial flights may begin again on October 1, depending on the progression of the coronavirus pandemic, international border restrictions and provincial regulations on internal movement.

DEBT DEAL DONE

Creditors overwhelmingly back government’s debt restructuring offer

05-09-2020 10:24 Argentina wins "massive" bondholder support to restructure overseas debt, exchanging 99% of debt held under international law.

EDITORIAL

Where there’s a need, there’s a whole lot more than a right

05-09-2020 09:59 Neither respect for the law nor acute housing needs should be denied – and nor should they form the opposing sides of a new grieta.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Doctors beg citizens to ‘stay home’ amid fears for health system

05-09-2020 09:45 Medical professionals call on Argentines to respect the coronavirus lockdown, warning the health system is on the “brink of collapse” as country nears 500,000 confirmed cases.

ALBERTO & HORACIO

Past the point of no return?

05-09-2020 09:26 The early days of the Covid-19 outbreak generated unparalleled collaboration between Frente de Todos and Juntos por el Cambio. Are we past the point of no return?

by Agustino Fontevecchia

POLITICS & THE PANDEMIC

A new low for the Lower House

05-09-2020 09:15 Monday was a big day for Alberto Fernández’s Peronist government, as it heralded its debt deal with foreign creditors. But the joy lasted only a day and celebrations were all but buried by news in Congress.

by Martín Gambarotta

DEATH OF FACUNDO ASTUDILLO CASTRO

How the search for Facundo Astudillo Castro unfolded

05-09-2020 09:02 Facundo Astudillo Castro was missing for more than 100 days. Here are key moments from the search for the missing 22-year-old and the investigation into his disappearance.

by Héctor Velázquez

DEATH OF FACUNDO ASTUDILLO CASTRO

Facundo Astudillo Castro: Investigation enters ‘new stage’ following autopsy results

05-09-2020 08:39 Autopsy confirms skeletal remains discovered last week are from missing 22-year-old; coroner says preliminary results show death was “violent” and a result of “asphyxia.”

Facundo Astudillo Castro

Protesters rally in capital to demand justice for Facundo Castro

04-09-2020 02:50 Protest held one day after forensic experts confirm remains of a body found in a rural area of Buenos Aires Province belong to Castro, a 22-year-old who had been missing for more than 100 days.

FACUNDO ASTUDILLO CASTRO

Judge confirms found remains belong to Facundo Astudillo Castro

03-09-2020 04:11 Bahía Blanca Federal Judge María Gabriela Marrón confirms remains of a skeleton found earlier this month belong to missing 22-year-old, who was last seen alive on April 30.

Coronavirus pandemic

Argentina’s Covid outbreak worsens with 47% of tests positive

01-09-2020 15:39 Almost 47% of people tested for coronavirus in Argentina get a positive result back. The WHO suggests nations push the rate below 5% for several weeks before reopening their economies.

BLOOMBERG

Investors welcome debt deal amid grim economic outlook

31-08-2020 22:54 Investors are caught between relief over Argentina’s debt deal and concern over the grim economic reality facing the country.

DEBT RESTRUCTURING

Guzmán confirms 99% of overseas debt restructured in swap

31-08-2020 17:52 Argentina wins "massive" bondholder support to restructure overseas debt, exchanging 99% of debt held under international law.

Presidential agenda

Fernández to reboot government's agenda with new announcements

31-08-2020 10:04 President seeks to push agenda beyond the immediate challenges of virus pandemic, with government planning series of announcements related to the economy, debt talks and security.

Wealth tax

Congress set to debate government's 'wealth tax' bill

30-08-2020 16:55 Government’s proposed ‘wealth tax’ bill heads to Congress. President Fernández seeks to bring in 300 billion pesos in tax revenue through one-time levy on wealthiest citizens.

Coronavirus pandemic

Argentina surpasses 400,000 coronavirus infections

30-08-2020 09:18 More than 9,000 new infections pushes country past 400,000 landmark. Culture Ministry pays tribute to artists and healthcare professionals with