News of government

Economic activity slumped 3.4% in first half of 2024, reports INDEC

Today 00:48 Recession deepens with 1.7 percent contraction in second quarter of the year; Economic activity down 3.4% overall in first half of 2024.

ECONOMY – ANALYSIS

Argentina's recession deepened as Milei shock therapy stung

Today 00:34 Economy sunk deeper into recession in second quarter as ripple effects from currency devaluation and austerity exacerbated a downturn.

POLITICS, COURTS & ECONOMY

National, City government agrees federal revenue-sharing deal

Today 00:27 After lengthy court battle over ‘coparticipación’ federal revenue-sharing funds, President Javier Milei’s government and City Hall agrees deal to deliver 2.95 percent in daily and weekly payments.

LABOUR UNREST

Milei government declares air transport an ‘essential service’

16-09-2024 14:58 President Javier Milei on Monday decreed the aviation sector an "essential service" and ordered that airlines maintain at least 50% of flights in the event of work stoppages.

BUDGET PROPOSAL

Milei projects inflation plunging to 18% by end-2025

16-09-2024 00:05 President Javier Milei estimates annual inflation will slow to 104.4% by the end of this year and 18.3% by December 2025, according to his first budget proposal.

CRISIS IN VENEZUELA

Five foreigners held over alleged plot to 'destabilise' Venezuela

15-09-2024 08:55 Three US citizens, two Spaniards and a Czech citizen have been detained in Venezuela on suspicion of plotting to destabilise the country, announces Maduro administration.

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

Mixed signals

14-09-2024 06:43 It is clear that Milei and his team have the necessary tools to negotiate, when they want to. But doing so exposes them to caste-like behaviour, which is in turn exposed by their opponents.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

POLITICS & CONGRESS

Double blow for Milei: Senate passes university bill, blocks SIDE cash

13-09-2024 11:04 Milei’s cash for spy services blocked as both chambers of Congress block presidential decree for first time since 1994; Senate approves law providing salary increases and boosting budget for universities facing funding “emergency.”

MEDIA

‘Pauta cero'? – No state advertising is a lie that suits Milei

13-09-2024 10:00 President Javier Milei took office vowing not to distribute state advertising to media companies, but the La Libertad Avanza leader has broken his promise. Some 130 billion pesos have been dished out, via state bodies and firms, to friendly outlets.

by Franco Lindner

CONGRESS & POLITICS

Clashes outside Congress as lawmakers back Milei veto of pensions hike

11-09-2024 23:31 President’s charming of lawmakers pays off as move to overturn his veto of pension bill fails; At least 12 people injured and four arrested in clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

CONGRESS & POLITICS

Milei’s veto prevails as Congress pivots on key bill

11-09-2024 17:06 President Javier Milei’s veto of legislation that would have increased social security spending prevailed Wednesday after government lobbying efforts chipped away at the measure’s support.

CONGRESS & POLITICS

Congress debates Milei veto of pensions increase

11-09-2024 13:37 Lawmakers in the lower house open debate on whether to overturn President Javier Milei's veto of a bill to increase pensions, amid heavy security due to a planned protest.

ECONOMY – ANALYSIS

Nine months in, the economic data alarming Milei's government

09-09-2024 22:25 President Javier Milei has closed the third quarter of his administration with Argentina’s economic activity in poor health. He has notched up some achievements – exchange rate stability and a slowdown in inflation, for example – but the loss of purchasing power and increased unemployment are worrying.

by Gonzalo Martínez

ypf nationalisation case

US says it may weigh in on Burford’s US$16-billion Argentina award

09-09-2024 21:08 United States government “actively considering” whether to file statement of interest with courts concerning Burford Capital’s efforts to collect a US$16-billion judgment against Argentina over nationalisation of state oil firm in 2012.

ECONOMY & POLITICS

Argentines rush to deposit cash savings as part of Milei policy

09-09-2024 15:08 Dollar deposits have surged 40 percent to US$19.8 billion since he took office December 10, marking the highest levels since late 2019, according to Central Bank data.

THE PRESIDENT'S PRESENTS

Underwear and a 'Socialism kills' mug – the oddest gifts received by President Milei

09-09-2024 12:08 During his nine months in office, Argentina's President Javier Milei has made 19 trips abroad. He's also been gifted some strange items by the heads of state, business leaders and fans he's bumped into.

As I see it

A most illiberal libertarian

07-09-2024 06:06 Is Milei a democrat? Probably not; it is increasingly clear that, by instinct, he is an authoritarian who does not take kindly to even mild criticism.

by James Neilson

EDITORIAL

Making public private

07-09-2024 05:55 Not the first contradiction with its self-image but a government calling itself libertarian and seeking to restrict access to public information is really starting to take the biscuit.

ANALYSING ARGENTINA

Decisions Milei refuses to make

07-09-2024 05:52 Milei will eventually pay the political price for the decisions he fails to make today. His current popularity, buoyed by the perception that recession is the lesser evil compared to rampant inflation, won’t last forever.

by Marcelo J. Garcia

POLITICS & ECONOMY

Milei, CFK spat on social media over Argentina’s economic direction

06-09-2024 21:47 Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Javier Milei play out dispute on social media.

BUSINESS & INVESTMENT

Mercado Libre founder vows US$75-million investment as he hosts Milei

05-09-2024 11:41 President Javier Milei received by Mercado Libre founder Marcos Galperin as he visits offices of tech giant; Entrepreneur, who is gripped in a “cartelisation” battle with Argentina’s banks, says US$75-million investment will create 2,300 new jobs at logistics centre.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

55% of Argentina’s population below poverty line, says UCA body

05-09-2024 08:53 Extreme poverty affected 17.5% of people in first half of 2024, reports private observatory from the Catholic University of Argentina (UCA).

CUTBACKS AT STATE AIRLINE

Adorni: 1,500 jobs cut at Aerolíneas Argentinas in six months

04-09-2024 17:33 Milei administration has reduced the size of flagship carrier’s payroll by 13%, says presidential spokesperson.

POLITICS

Milei’s move to limit access to public information condemned

04-09-2024 16:52 Milei’s decree limiting access to public information sparks widespread repudiation in Argentina; Executive Branch introduces changes to current legislation including a redefinition of the concept of “public information” that offers greater “protection” for government officials and prevents publication of "working papers."

FOOTBALL & POLITICS

Court blocks Milei’s privatisation plan for Argentina’s football clubs

04-09-2024 15:20 President’s decree forcing football governing body AFA to accept private capital into nation’s football clubs blocked by injunction until definitive ruling issued by courts.

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

Behind the Milei-Jorge Macri deal – and the influence of Mauricio

04-09-2024 12:09 Meetings between President Javier Milei and PRO party chairman Mauricio Macri have served to calm tempers and put an administration which had become entangled back on track.

by Pablo Varela

POLITICS & ECONOMY

Javier Milei and Jorge Macri seal deal transferring 31 bus lines to City

04-09-2024 12:02 Mayor confirms that there will be no fare increase despite the loss of national subsidies after signing deal formalising transfer control of more than 30 bus lines to Buenos Aires City government.

POLITICS & CONGRESS

President vetoes pension bill amid congressional tension

02-09-2024 13:45 President vetoes bill that would force Argentina’s government to boost pension payments, laying bare growing tensions between his La Libertad Avanza party and its allies in Congress.

POLITICS & CONGRESS

Milei strikes down pension bill forcing government to boost payments

02-09-2024 13:16 President Javier Milei signs decree striking down pension reform bill passed by both houses of Congress; Government begins bid to persuade lawmakers not to overturn veto.

EDITORIAL

Libertarian entrapment

31-08-2024 05:21 The paradox of a libertarian government revering the free market while unable to exit bureaucratic Kirchnerite capital controls has already drawn comment but the reduction of the PAIS tax exposes another contradiction.

CULTURE & POLITICS

City Hall boots Telerman out from Teatro Colón top role

28-08-2024 23:06 Among the motives, strong differences between the ex-City mayor Telerman and Culture Minister Gabriela Ricardes; Mayor Jorge Macri’s request for austerity.

by Claudio Corsalini

CULTURE

Julio Bocca named new director of Teatro Colón

28-08-2024 22:56 World-famous ballet dancer will replace Jorge Telerman at the helm of Buenos Aires’ most famous theatre, along with Gerardo Grieco.

POLITICS & POLICY

Justice minister backed as critics slam gender diversity remarks

28-08-2024 15:10 Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona criticised after declaring that Milei administration “rejects the diversity of sexual identities that do not align with biology.”

ECONOMY – ANALYSIS

Milei lowers key import tariff to cool inflation

28-08-2024 10:35 Economy Minister Luis Caputo announces government will lower levy known as 'PAIS tax' from 17.5% to 7.5%.

POLITICS & ECONOMY

Privatisations, relaunches and retirements – Milei’s plan for state media

26-08-2024 19:14 President Javier Milei has managed to shutter the Télam news agency and is attempting to downsize and sell off a host of Argentina’s state media outlets – but are his plans working? And what is the “relaunch” his administration is planning?

by Julian D'Imperio

Political crisis in Venezuela

Venezuela opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia ignores summons

26-08-2024 13:43 Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia refuses to appear before prosecutors Monday as part of a probe into his claim that he was the rightful victor of last month's presidential election.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Worthy of their hire?

24-08-2024 05:31 Two other leading issues this past week – the senatorial pay hike and Congress rejection of the 12-digit SIDE intelligence booster. Nothing is black and white but try convincing most people otherwise.

by Michael Soltys

Congress & Politics

Milei clashes with Senate over pensions, vows to veto increase

23-08-2024 14:27 President Javier Milei announced Friday he will veto pension increases approved by the Senate the previous day, branding those who voted for the boost "fiscal degenerates."

ECONOMY & FOREIGN POLICY

Argentina, US ink accord for ‘cooperation on critical minerals’

23-08-2024 13:31 Argentina and the United States sign memorandum of understanding to strengthen production of "critical minerals" such as lithium that are essential for the energy transition.

POLITICS & CONGRESS

Senate passes new pension formula in defiance of Milei

22-08-2024 19:00 Senators approve bill that defies President Javier Milei’s bid to balance government’s books by reworking how pension payments are calculated.

POLITICS & CONGRESS

Yelling, complaints, expulsion threats – crisis erupts in La Libertad Avanza

22-08-2024 15:45 Ruling party’s lower house caucus thrust into chaos as furious shouting draws attention; La Libertad Avanza deputy insulted by party colleagues for having presented a criminal denunciation of lawmakers’ recent visit to dictatorship-era criminals jailed at Ezeiza prison.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Economy contracted in June, recession grinds on

21-08-2024 23:36 Argentina’s economy unexpectedly contracted in June, shrinking for the fourth time in six months.

POLITICS & CONGRESS

Blow for Milei: Opposition teams up with PRO to block intelligence funds

21-08-2024 23:05 In a heavy blow for the Milei government, deputies in lower house repeal decree assigning over 100 billion pesos “to boost the national intelligence system” by 156-52 vote with six abstentions.

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

Mondino faces virtual paralysis of Argentina’s diplomatic corps

21-08-2024 12:48 Union grouping Foreign Service employees launches strike action to press a series of pay demands. Government’s restoration of income tax has a heavy impact on the salaries of those representing the country abroad.

by Pablo Varela

EDUCATION

Teaching staff at public universities stage 48-hour strike

20-08-2024 12:06 Strike at state universities gets underway with no classes scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday; Unions claim the government's wage renegotiation proposal is insufficient as Milei administration looks to cut costs.

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Musk’s free speech mantra collides with crackdowns on hate speech and disinformation

19-08-2024 13:32 Elon Musk’s absolutist version of free speech has thrown the world’s richest man and his X social-media platform into the crosshairs of governments worldwide.

Editorial

Inflation down on its all fours?

17-08-2024 05:39 The main obstacle to zero inflation is zero certainty as to the future.

BLOOMBERG - ANALYSIS

Javier Milei's popularity survives his chainsaw cuts in Argentina

16-08-2024 11:34 Argentina’s libertarian president came to power promising to slash spending. Voters are suffering, yet polls show his support endures — for now.

SPORTS OWNERSHIP BATTLE

Milei orders AFA football authorities to accept privately owned clubs

15-08-2024 13:50 New government decree signed by Javier Milei advances move to introduce private limited companies into the local football ecosystem; President gives AFA, federations and clubs one year to change statutes and allow "sporting corporations" into league pyramid.