Latest news of Buenos Aires Times

Dancer Marianela Núñez, principal at The Royal Ballet in London, receives an OBE from British monarch King Charles III.

Ballet dancer Marianela Núñez honoured with OBE from King Charles III

Yesterday 16:04 Legendary Argentine dancer Marianela Núñez, principal at The Royal Ballet in London, decorated with OBE by British monarch for “her service to dance.”

Aerial view of Siderurgica Huachipato, in Talcahuano, Bío Bío region, taken on September 11, 2024. Chile's largest steel plant shut down last year, yielding to cheaper production in China.

TRADE WARS

Trump tariffs threaten Latin American steel industry

Yesterday 15:18 US president’s new tariffs, designed to protect American consumers, will put Latin America's steel industry on the ropes

Authorities in Argentina have arrested 15 foreigners as part of an investigation into human-trafficking, including an alleged Russian cult leader, according to local news reports.

CRIME & SECURITY

Russian cult leader, 14 others arrested in south of Argentina

Yesterday 14:10 Authorities in Argentina have arrested 15 foreigners as part of an investigation into human-trafficking, including an alleged Russian cult leader, according to local news reports.

Pope Francis waves from a window of the Gemelli hospital before being discharged following a five weeks hospitalisation for pneumonia, in Rome on March 23, 2025.

Catholic Church

Convalescing Pope Francis's condition improving, says Vatican

Yesterday 13:33 Vatican says there has been a "slight improvement" in Pope Francis's lungs as he recovers from five weeks in hospital with life-threatening pneumonia.

A homeless man sits on a street corner of Palermo neighbourhood in Buenos Aires on March 31, 2025.

POVERTY ASSESSMENT

‘Not much to celebrate’ despite fall in poverty, says expert

Yesterday 13:13 Leading poverty expert Agustín Salvia, of UCA’s prestigious social debt observatory, digs into the figures after INDEC reports dramatic fall in numbers of poor.

POLLING & SURVEYS

Latin Americans split on retaliation as Trump’s tariffs loom

Yesterday 12:19 Half of Mexicans, Argentines and Brazilians want their governments to retaliate to Trump’s tariffs, with slightly smaller shares of Colombians and Chileans saying the same.

BLOOMBERG REPORT

Milei charged executives US$20,000 for private dinners as he ran for president

Yesterday 11:59 Executives bought access to Argentina’s rising political star; Milei likened the dinners to the consulting work he used to do.

A man sleeps on a street in Buenos Aires on March 31, 2025.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Poverty dropped to 38.1% in second half of 2024, reveals INDEC

31-03-2025 17:52 INDEC reveals that Argentina’s poverty rate fell almost 15 points over the last six months, but almost four in ten remains impoverished.

BLOOMBERG - ANALYSIS

Poverty falls sharply as prices cool under Milei

31-03-2025 17:02 About 38.1% of Argentines fell under the poverty line in the second half of last year, according to government data published Monday.

Former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner waves to attendees during the closure of the National Educational Congress in Buenos Aires on March 22, 2025.

CORRUPTION & THE COURTS

Fernández de Kirchner appeals corruption conviction to Supreme Court

31-03-2025 15:17 Lawyers for former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner file appeal with Supreme Court over corruption conviction; Challenge to authority of García-Mansilla to participate in case.

UNITED STATES POLITICS

Trump says 'not joking' about possible third term as US president

31-03-2025 14:25 US president repeats suggestion he might seek a third term: "There are methods which you could do it."

IMF PROGRAMME

Caputo: Argentina wants a ‘high’ first disbursement from IMF

31-03-2025 14:04 Economy Minister revealed last week that Argentina is seeking around US$20 million in fresh financing from the IMF, on top of its existing US$44-billion debt.

Candidates heading lists in the Buenos Aires City 2025 midterms.

POLITICS: MIDTERMS 2025

Who’s who: The candidates heading lists for Buenos Aires City midterms

30-03-2025 10:01 Main candidates are already defined for the Buenos Aires City midterms in May – Silvia Lospennato, Leandro Santoro, Manuel Adorni, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta and Ramiro Marra are the names that head the highest-polling options.

Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni welcomes Argentina's President Javier Milei at Palazzo Chigi prior their meeting in Rome on December 13, 2024.

ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP

Italy limits citizenship eligibility for descendants, affecting tens of thousands of Argentines

29-03-2025 08:38 Italy will limit its citizenship law based on blood ties to two generations, a move that could affect tens of thousands of Argentines.

Editorial

Into More Frenzy

29-03-2025 06:11 Perhaps today’s economic situation is best explained by saying: “It’s the elections, stupid.”

Milei rides into space on Musk's SpaceX rocket.

Analysing Argentina

Will Elon Musk’s plumber pay for Milei’s trips abroad?

29-03-2025 06:11 There is reason behind the IMF’s decision to throw its weight behind President Milei, which means partnering with his political objectives too.

by Marcelo J. García

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

Tales of the blue (dollar)

29-03-2025 06:11 Milei and Caputo have promised to lift the 'cepo' currency controls. It won’t signal the end of the 'blue,' but it should reduce its importance and the wild fluctuations that voraciously mint millionaires and, at the same speed, erase their fortunes.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

The chainsaw crew? Milei, Trump, Sturzenegger.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Towards a smarter state

29-03-2025 06:11 The libertarian government seems intent on cutting back a bloated state to its right size without having any clear idea what that size might be.

by Michael Soltys

Demonstrators hold a sign reading 'FMI nunca más' during a march heading to Plaza de Mayo square in Buenos Aires to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the military coup on March 24, 2025.

IMF PROGRAMME

IMF confirms Argentina has requested new US$20-billion loan programme

28-03-2025 18:10 "Progress on the new programme is very advanced and engagement continues at all levels to finalise an agreement," says IMF in a statement.

People clash with anti-riot Airport Security Police (PSA) during a protest demanding an increase in pensions and against the government of President Javier Milei in front of the National Congress in Buenos Aires on March 26, 2025.

THE WEEK IN REIVEW

Stories that caught our eye: March 21 to 28

28-03-2025 17:59 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.

Manuel Adorni, Leandro Santoro, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta.

POLITICS: MIDTERMS 2025

City elections: Candidate Adorni, Marra to run, Lospennato emerges

28-03-2025 13:52 Focus on the countdown to candidate list registrations for the upcoming May 18 elections for the Buenos Aires City legislature.

Argentina's midfielder #08 Enzo Fernández celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Brazil at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on March 25, 2025.

International football

Rout of Brazil shows 2026 World Cup hopes are very much alive

28-03-2025 12:39 Tuesday's showing against Brazil, in particular, was as strong a statement of intent from Lionel Scaloni’s side as one could wish to envision.

by Dan Edwards

The first luncheon of the 90th anniversary of the University Women's Club had a guest of honour last Tuesday: outgoing (in every sense of the word) British Ambassador Kirsty Hayes.

COMMUNITY

UK ambassador hails 200 years of bilateral relations in luncheon

28-03-2025 12:19 First luncheon of the 90th anniversary of the University Women's Club had British Ambassador Kirsty Hayes as guest of honour.

by Michael Soltys

In this aerial view, the landmark Kuwait Towers and other skyscrapers pierce through the cloud cover over Kuwait City on December 10, 2023. March 29, 2025 will mark the International Cloud Day.

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE

Clouds and conspiracies: concerns over push to make rain

28-03-2025 12:06 As climate change drives floods and drought, rainmaking is in fashion across the world, despite mixed evidence that it works and concerns it can stoke cross-border tensions.

IMF PROGRAMME

Argentina seeks large portion of US$20-billion IMF deal up front

28-03-2025 12:00 The size of Argentina’s first disbursement has become the most important issue of negotiations at this stage, with President Milei's government seeking a large portion up front.

Shoppers ride an escalator in the Galerias Pacifico shopping centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, August 24, 2022.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Economy grew more than expected in January

28-03-2025 11:55 Economic activity rose 0.6% from December; From a year ago, the gross domestic product proxy grew 6.5%.

POLITICS: MIDTERMS 2025

Who’s who: La Libertad Avanza’s electoral list for Buenos Aires City

28-03-2025 11:42 Manuel Adorni, Javier Milei’s presidential spokesperson, will be the “frontman” of the ruling party’s electoral slate for the Buenos Aires City legislature.

'CRYPTOGATE' SCANDAL

Prosecutor probes Milei assets in ‘$LIBRA’ Cryptogate case

27-03-2025 21:16 Federal prosecutor Eduardo Taiano gathering information regarding the assets of President Javier Milei, his sister Karina Milei and three businessmen.

Presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni.

MIDTERMS 2025

Midterms latest: Adorni set to run for La Libertad Avanza in City

27-03-2025 21:13 President Javier Milei’s top spokesperson will lay down his microphone to run for the ruling La Libertad Avanza party in Buenos Aires City.

Jana Maradona, daughter of late Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, leaves after a hearing at San Isidro court, Buenos Aires province, Argentina, on March 25, 2025. Seven medical professionals who cared for Argentine football legend Diego Maradona during his final days are on trial accused of criminal negligence over his death in 2020.

death of diego maradona

Maradona ‘was in agony’ before he died, says autopsy doctor

27-03-2025 18:48 Diego Maradona “was in agony” before he died and his doctors should have foreseen his condition, autopsy doctors testify before court.

An AYSA truck brings drinking water to Villa Azul in Argentina.

BLOOMBERG

AySA's bond rally faces key privatisation test

27-03-2025 17:45 Debt holders of state-owned water and sewage company AySA are reaping a windfall after President Javier Milei scrapped some price controls for public utility services.

Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni gestures during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Brazil at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on March 25, 2025.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

At present, the Albiceleste are unstoppable – even without Messi

27-03-2025 16:10 Why Argentina is doing well without superstar skipper Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni is doing everything right.

The frontpage of the 'El Mundo' newspaper records the day Argentina declared war.

On this day...

The day Argentina declared war on the Axis

27-03-2025 15:18 On March 27, 1945, 80 years ago, Argentina put an end to neutrality. “A state of war” was officially declared between the Argentine Republic and Germany, “in view of the latter's status as an ally of Japan.”

by Leonardo Torresi

View of Casa Rosada presidential palace on November 20, 2023

IMF DEBT PROGRAMME

Argentina says its new IMF programme will total US$20 billion

27-03-2025 15:00 The economy minister added that funds combined from the IMF, World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank and regional bank CAF would put Argentina’s Central Bank reserves near US$50 billion.

Luis Caputo, Argentina's economy minister.

NEW IMF DEAL

Caputo says Argentina’s new IMF deal includes US$20 billion

27-03-2025 10:30 Economy Minister Luis Caputo says new IMF programme for Argentina will include US$20 billion in fresh funding.

by James Grainger

People walk through flooded waters the day after a heavy storm in Bahía Blanca, 600 km south of Buenos Aires on March 8, 2025.

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE

Report: Climate change partly behind deadly Bahía Blanca deluge

27-03-2025 09:31 Study by World Weather Attribution network of researchers concludes that climate change partly contributed to the deadly flooding in port city of Bahía Blanca.

Argentina's Economy Minister Luis Caputo and the head of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva.

ANALYSIS

How many dollars does Luis Caputo need to reach the midterms?

27-03-2025 00:39 The market is spotlighting fresh funds. The blend could be a bargaining-chip for exchange rate intervention. Central Bank reserves back to levels of late 2023.

by Eugenia Muzio

Federal prosecutor María Ángeles Ramos, head of Argentina's Prosecutor's Office for Crimes against Humanity.

Human rights

Report: 20 convictions for crimes against humanity last year

27-03-2025 00:01 Annual report from PCCH puts tally at 1,195 convictions, 332 sentences for crimes against humanity since 2006 – the year in which such trials were resumed.

Former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro speaks to the media after leaving the Senate building in Brasília on March 26, 2025.

POLITICS IN BRAZIL

Brazil's Bolsonaro ordered to stand trial for attempted coup

26-03-2025 22:26 Brazil's Supreme Court orders former president Jair Bolsonaro to stand trial on charges of plotting a coup after failing to win re-election in 2022.

Javier Milei’s government is devaluing the Argentine peso by one percent each month using what’s known as a crawling peg.

ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY

Traders bet on weaker peso as Milei’s IMF deal looms

26-03-2025 21:39 Investors see Argentina’s peso on the verge of devaluation again, but for Javier Milei, such a step could prove costly – especially ahead of midterm elections in October.

Julio Héctor Simón, the former federal police officer better known as ‘El Turco Julián.'

OBITUARY

Dictatorship-era torturer ‘El Turco Julián’ dies in jail

26-03-2025 09:59 Former Federal Police officer Julio Héctor Simón, who tortured his victims at the ‘El Olimpo’ clandestine detention centre and commanded task forces entrusted with the abduction and disappearance of persons, dies aged 84 while serving time for three convictions of crimes against humanity.

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (right) shakes hands with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during their summit meeting at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House in Tokyo on March 26, 2025.

MERCOSUR TRADE

Lula urges Mercosur-Japan deal to counter Trump protectionism

26-03-2025 08:38 Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva calls for new trade deal between Mercosur bloc and Japan during visit to Tokyo.

Argentina's forward #09 Julian Alvarez celebrates with his teammates Argentina's defender #03 Nicolás Tagliafico, Argentina's midfielder #08 Enzo Fernandez and Argentina's midfielder #11 Thiago Almada after scoring his team's first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Brazil at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires province, on March 25, 2025.

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

Argentina thrash Brazil, clinch 2026 World Cup qualification

25-03-2025 22:35 Goals from Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister and Giovani Simeone secure a convincing 3-1 win over Brazil as Albiceleste becomes first South American side to book its place at the World Cup 2026.

Julio Coria, former security of late Argentine football legend Diego Maradona, is detained for false testimony after the court in charge noted contradictions in his statement, at the San Isidro court in San Isidro, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, on March 25, 2025.

death of diego maradona

Witness arrested for false testimony at Maradona death trial

25-03-2025 17:39 Julio Coria, Diego Maradona's former bodyguard, detained for false testimony after the court in charge of trial into legendary footballer's death noted contradictions in his statements.

Fernando Espinoza, the former mayor of Peronist stronghold La Matanza.

sexual assault claims

La Matanza Mayor Fernando Espinoza to stand trial for sexual assault

25-03-2025 17:26 Ex-mayor of La Matanza accused of sexually assaulting his private secretary in May 2021; Judge rejects defence team’s request for dismissal.

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Argentina's President Javier Milei hold hands on the balcony of the Casa Rosada after a meeting in Buenos Aires on November 17, 2024.

Foreign relations & diplomacy

Macron says Argentina ‘is a friend’ after call with Milei

25-03-2025 14:01 French President Emmanuel Macron declares in a post on social media that Argentina “is a friend” with which his government can "build the economy of the future."

Javier Milei withdrew his so-called 'omnibus bill' from Argentina’s Congress last month.

MARKET VIEW

Goldman says end of Argentina FX controls key to reviving IPOs

25-03-2025 12:20 President Milei needs to start getting rid of capital and currency controls to lure equity investors, according to Goldman Sachs.

A Nazi rally held at Luna Park stadium in Buenos Aires, on April 10, 1938.

GOVERNMENT & POLITICS

Argentina to declassify files on Nazis who sought refuge post-World War II

25-03-2025 11:59 Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos confirms that President Javier Milei has ordered the declassification of all official records concerning Nazis who sought refuge in Argentina after World War II, following a request from US Republican Senator Steve Daines back in February.

SALE SUSPENDED

Milei blocks sale of Telefónica Argentina to Clarín’s Telecom

25-03-2025 11:02 Government explains why it has moved to halt purchase of Telefónica Argentina by Telecom; Guillermo Francos warns deal would create an oligopoly in the telecommunications sector.

In the first international translocation of wild species for release in the Southern Cone, Rewilding Argentina and Rewilding Chile, offspring organizations of Tompkins Conservation, have brought 15 Darwin’s rheas across the Andes from Patagonia Park, Argentina to Patagonia National Park, Chile in order to restore depleted populations of this endemic species.

ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

Fifteen wild rheas transferred to Chile in bid to restore species

25-03-2025 10:20 Argentina and Chile achieve a conservation milestone with the first binational translocation of wild birds; Conservation effort is part of a push to boost population.

Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) arrives at Brasilia airport on March 25, 2025.

Brazil ex-president

Brazil judges weigh whether to put Bolsonaro on trial for 'coup'

25-03-2025 10:06 Brazil's Supreme Court weighs whether to put far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro on trial for allegedly masterminding an attempted coup after losing elections in 2022.

People stand next to a large banner with portraits of people who disappeared during Argentina's 1976-1983 military dictatorship while heading to Plaza de Mayo Square to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the military coup in Buenos Aires on March 24, 2025.

MEMORY DAY MARCH

'Nunca más’ – Massive march in Argentina, 49 years after coup

24-03-2025 20:11 Tens of thousands take to streets to remember dictatorship’s crimes and challenge President Javier Milei’s government.

Milei government's 'complete memory' video.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Milei government pushes civil war narrative on coup anniversary

24-03-2025 17:03 Casa Rosada pushes out controversial video on 49th anniversary of coup that installed Videla; Declassification of files announced, call for “complete memory” of dictatorship era; Support for legal appeal over 1974 attack on Army captain and family.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Pope Francis returns home from hospital, thanks faithful

23-03-2025 10:41 Pope Francis returns to the Vatican after being discharged from the hospital where he spent more than five weeks receiving treatment.

Former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner arrives at the closure of the National Educational Congress in Buenos Aires on March 22, 2025. The United States banned former Argentine president Cristina Kirchner and one of her ministers from entering the US on Friday, accusing them of corruption.

WASHINGTON SANCTION

US sanctions Fernández de Kirchner, De Vido for ‘corruption’

22-03-2025 17:33 United States government bans former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and ex-federal planning minister Julio de Vido from entering its territory, sanctioning them for “significant corruption.”

WASHINGTON SANCTION

US bans CFK, De Vido from entry over 'involvement in significant corruption'

22-03-2025 14:06 US State Department, under orders of Marco Rubio, issues statement confirming entry ban for former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, former federal planning minister Julio de Vido and their immediate family members.

by Cecilia Degl'Innocenti

WASHINGTON'S BAN ON CFK

United States bars Cristina Fernández de Kirchner from entry due to graft case

22-03-2025 09:37 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the decision to ban Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and her immediate family, as well as former public works minister Julio De Vido, “for significant corruption,” according to a statement.

Argentina's midfielder Thiago Almada celebrates after scoring during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Uruguay and Argentina at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, on March 21, 2025.

International football

Qualification all but sure as Scaloneta gets revenge in Montevideo

22-03-2025 09:32 This version of La Scaloneta continues to get the result when it matters most, taking revenge for the Celeste's stunning victory in the Bombonera almost 18 months ago.

by La Scaloneta continues to

Chilean presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei.

POLITICS IN CHILE

Chile presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei lauds Argentina budget cuts

22-03-2025 09:13 “In Argentina, they’ve cut spending with a speed and determination that’s incredible,” says Chile presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei.

Argentina's players celebrate after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Uruguay and Argentina at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo, on March 21, 2025.

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

Argentina on brink after Almada strike sinks Uruguay

22-03-2025 08:47 Win means Argentina can become first team from region to book a place at next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a victory over arch-rivals Brazil in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

'Cepo' in review

22-03-2025 07:53 It might well be argued that the ‘cepo,’ the seemingly endless set of currency and capital controls, has been a bane of Argentina’s existence.

by Michael Soltys

As I see it

The old order is fighting back

22-03-2025 07:45 Milei has managed to apply a much-needed corrective to a political order that, until he took over, seemed to have been programmed to destroy both itself and the country.

by James Neilson

ANALYSING ARGENTINA

Autumn is coming for Javier Milei

22-03-2025 07:41 Last week, we discussed how an electoral agreement with the governor of Chaco signalled a possible pattern. This week, Chaco Governor Leandro Zdero received a 120-billion-peso transfer from the federal government. Just don’t tell the IMF.

by Marcelo J. García

ART

Interactive art exhibition 'DESATAR' opens

22-03-2025 07:31 Interactive art exhibition DESATAR (“untying”), by artist María Eugenia Llorente, operns at the British Arts Centre (Suipacha 1333).

by Michael Soltys

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

Political hegemony turning to pathetic circus

22-03-2025 07:14 Market jitters have pushed the government into a defensive posture, in which Economy Minister Luis ‘Toto’ Caputo appears to have involuntarily flamed the fans of devaluation.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

Editorial

Forever Autumn?

22-03-2025 07:11 There is already too much polarisation in politics at large – instead of extremes clashing, there is a need to meet in the middle for a serious debate about a complex issue.

the week in review

Stories that caught our eye: March 14 to 21

21-03-2025 17:00 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.

IMF DEBT TALKS

IMF to consider US$20-billion Argentina deal in informal meeting

21-03-2025 15:44 IMF intends to discuss a new loan for Argentina during an informal meeting between its staff and executive board next week in Washington.

Fans remember footballing great Diego Maradona.

death of diego maradona

Maradona trial: Star's room was ‘very dirty,’ says doctor

21-03-2025 11:47 Details of star's death emerges during trial; Doctor who saw Maradona after death says medical team was attempting to resuscitate a body that had long been dead.

‘Buenos Aires, The Biography of a City’ by James Gardner, St. Martin’s Press, New York, 2015, 245 pages.

BOOK REVIEW

Will we always have Paris?

21-03-2025 11:11 ‘Buenos Aires, The Biography of a City’ by James Gardner, St. Martin’s Press, New York, 2015, 245 pages.

by Michael Soltys

ypf nationalisation case

Burford met with silence from Milei over US$16-billion YPF judgment

21-03-2025 10:33 Argentina faces a US$16-billion court judgment over its nationalisation of oil company YPF. But the firm that won the case says President Javier Milei won't talk to them.

Argentina's Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.

EMBASSY SCANDAL IN CARACAS

The year-long stand-off between five prisoners in a mansion and Maduro's regime

21-03-2025 10:20 Members of Venezuela’s opposition are trapped in Argentina's Embassy in Caracas, living on rainwater and sardines, as government forces stand watch.

Buenos Aires City lawmaker Yamil Santoro (Unidos Republicanos) launched the 'Unión Porteña Libertaria' – a new political space with a familiar identity.

POLITICS

No more JxC, PRO dispute – Electoral alliances in City confirmed

20-03-2025 23:48 City alliance deadline closes, Juntos por el Cambio no more, PRO goes it alone, also without Rodríguez Larreta; Leandro Santoro heads Peronists; Controversy over ‘Unión Porteña Libertaria’ slate.

People take part in a demonstration outside Congress during a national strike against the government of Javier Milei in Buenos Aires, on January 24, 2024.

LABOUR & POLITICS

CGT labour federation calls general strike on April 10

20-03-2025 20:10 The CGT umbrella union grouping on Thursday confirmed that it will call a general strike – the third of President Javier Milei’s time in office – on April 10.

IMF DEBT PROGRAMME

IMF deal will be agreed by mid-April, says Milei

20-03-2025 18:27 Lower house backs presidential decree authorising new deal with International Monetary Fund.

Images from clashes between pensioners, football fans and sympathisers and the security forces during a protest near Congress on March 12, 2025.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Rights body criticises Milei over policing of protests

20-03-2025 16:53 Inter-American Commission of Human Rights calls on President Javier Milei’s government to guarantee freedom of expression and association as it voices concerns; Weekly pensioners’ protest passes off without major incident.

DEBT & MARKETS

Argentina waiting on yields to fall below 10% before debt market return

20-03-2025 12:26 Argentina is waiting for yields on its sovereign bonds to edge below 10% before exploring return to international capital markets, says government official.

Shoppers browse at the Tristan Narvaja market in Montevideo.

SCANDAL IN URUGUAY

Uruguay rocked by US$300 million in cattle fraud claims

20-03-2025 12:21 Urugauy is facing one of its biggest-ever retail investor fraud cases, with companies peddling cattle investments accused of bilking savers out of hundreds of millions of dollars.

'CRYPTOGATE' SCANDAL

Déjà vu? Another libertarian politician promotes ‘$LIBRA’ crypto token

20-03-2025 01:03 La Libertad Avanza lawmaker José Luis Espert says his account on the X social network was “hacked”; Post promoting ‘$LIBRA V2’ token made, just weeks after President Milei pushed same scam cryptocurrency.

President Javier Milei and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Foreign relations & diplomacy

President Milei postpones scheduled trip to Israel

19-03-2025 23:31 Tensions in Israel and Argentina lead to suspension of President Javier Milei’s trip; Decision made as conflict rages in Middle East and protests pick up at home.

View of a seat of a lawmaker from the ruling La Libertad Avanza ruling party during the debate on a decree by Argentina's President Javier Milei to obtain congressional backing for the signing of new debt with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) at the Chamber of Deputies in Buenos Aires on March 19, 2025.

IMF DEBT PROGRAMME

Milei wins lower house approval to agree new IMF loan

19-03-2025 17:52 Milei granted free hand in negotiations with International Monetary Fund over a new programme as lower house backs decree authorising talks.

Congress & Politics

Congress upholds Milei’s decree to back new IMF-Argentina deal

19-03-2025 17:44 Lower house lawmakers vote in favour of President Javier Milei’s emergency executive decree backing a new deal with the International Monetary Fund.

A delivery worker waits for an order outside a restaurant in Buenos Aires.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Economy extended expansion as new IMF accord nears

19-03-2025 17:27 Gross domestic product expanded 1.4% in the three months through December, compared with the previous quarter.

Burwick Law files a class-action suit representing victims of $LIBRA cryptocurrency scandal.

‘CRYPTOGATE’ SCANDAL

Victims of ‘$LIBRA’ cryptocurrency scam file suit with NY court

19-03-2025 17:27 President Milei not named as defendant in class-action suit filed by law firm representing victims of cryptocurrency scandal.

A Palestinian woman inspects the rubble of the Elias Tarazi family house, after it was destroyed in an Israeli strike in al-Sabra neighbourhood in Gaza City on March 19, 2025.

GAZA WAR

Israel issues 'last warning' to Gazans

19-03-2025 17:18 Israel's most recent airstrikes have killed at least 436 people, according to Gaza's civil defence agency, disregarding the previously agreed upon ceasefire deal.

Passengers wait at a bus stop in Buenos Aires.

ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY

Milei’s inflation miracle distorted by obsolete items in index

19-03-2025 17:12 Calls are getting louder for President Javier Milei’s government to redo the make-up of the consumer price index for the first time in two decades.

The pensioners were accompanied by football fans and left-wing supporters in protesting Milei's austerity measures.

POLITICS

Unions, movements ready to confront Milei government

19-03-2025 16:23 Brutal police crackdown at pension protest in Buenos Aires has united labour and social organisations, who are increasingly willing to show their discontent with the government.

Presidential official Elchin Amirbayov, centre, discusses trade with Argentina and peace with Armenia at a press briefing hosted by the Azerbaijan Embassy in March 2025.

DIPLOMACY

'Ball is in Armenia’s court' – Azerbaijani official on peace deal

19-03-2025 15:58 Elchin Amirbayov, Azerbaijan’s presidential representative for special assignments, says Baku is ready to seal a peace deal with Armenia to end decades-long conflict between two Caucasus neighbours.

by Melissa Canales

The government issues a warning to potentially violent demonstrators via public transport terminals.

PENSION PROTEST

Milei government issues public transport threat to demonstators

19-03-2025 11:19 Hours before weekly pension protest, message broadcast at stations across Buenos Aires metropolitan area warns that police “will repress any attempt against the Republic.”

Ana María Maradona, sister of Diego Maradona, arrives at a San Isidro court ahead of the trial for the death of her brother in San Isidro, Buenos Aires province, Argentina on March 11, 2025.

death of diego maradona

No 'medical items' around Maradona deathbed, policeman tells court

18-03-2025 22:13 Lucas Farías, an officer in the Buenos Aires Province Police Force, says he saw no "medical items" in the room where Diego Maradona received post-operative care.

Buenos Aires City Mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta.

POLITICS

Rodríguez Larreta confirms midterms run after PRO expulsion talk

18-03-2025 21:58 Former Buenos Aires City mayor confirms run in May 18 City midterms; He will likely do so under a new banner – a reaction to reported move by PRO members to expel him.

by James Grainger

Football fans take part in a protest of pensioners against the government of President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires on March 12, 2025.

PENSION PROTEST

Political football: In defence of Argentina's forgotten pensioners

18-03-2025 17:54 The football fans who marched Wednesday in Buenos Aires with pensioners were accused of being "destabilisers" by the Argentine government, but they have managed to unite social discontent into an unexpected opposition without leadership.

This combination of pictures created on March 18, 2025 shows, L-R, Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Strelna, outside St. Petersburg, on December 27, 2021 and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, on June 27, 2017.

RUSSIAN-UKRAINE WAR

Putin agrees to halt Ukraine energy attacks but no ceasefire

18-03-2025 17:07 Vladimir Putin agrees to pause attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, but the Russian president still demands a "complete cessation" of Western military and intelligence support to Ukraine as part of a ceasefire agreement.

'CRYPTOGATE' SCANDAL

A month on from ‘$LIBRA,’ Milei siblings at centre of judicial tug-of-war

18-03-2025 17:00 Investigation into alleged corruption, influence-trafficking and public ethics rules now the focus of a jurisdictional tussle.

by Alfredo Izaguirre

HUMAN RIGHTS

Lawyer opposed to gender policies gets top human rights post

18-03-2025 16:34 Úrsula Basset, specialist in family law who has backed President Milei’s “cultural battle” against “wokeism,” named as new human rights director for Argentina’s Foreign Ministry.

Actor Antonio Gasalla leaves a theatre in Buenos Aires, early on May 20, 2012.

OBITUARY

Comedic actor Antonio Gasalla dies aged 84

18-03-2025 16:07 Actor and comedian Antonio Gasalla was 84 years old; he had been hospitalised with pneumonia and discharged last week, but his health had declined in recent years.

Uruguay's President Yamandú Orsi (C) observes the first changing of guard of his term in office in front of national hero José Artigas' monument at Independence Square in Montevideo on March 10, 2025.

CYBER-ATTACK

Cyber-attack on Uruguay government may have come from Argentina

18-03-2025 11:10 A cyber-attack on a Uruguay government website Monday declared that the country "needs rulers, not puppets”; News reports as journalists accuse Argentina as the source of the hack.

Jack Chambers, Ireland’s Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, gives a speech to mark St Patrick's Day.

COMMUNITY

Visiting minister hails Argentina’s Irish community on St. Patrick’s Day visit

18-03-2025 10:51 Jack Chambers, Ireland’s Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation and deputy leader of the ruling Fianna Fáil party, visits Argentina.

by Michael Soltys

Women sit together in mourning by the shrouded bodies of victims killed in Israeli bombardment as they lie on the floor at the Ahli Arab hospital, also known as the Baptist hospital, in Gaza City on March 18, 2025.

GAZA WAR

Israel vows to fight in Gaza after deadliest strikes since truce

18-03-2025 09:47 Israel unleashed its most intense strikes on the Gaza Strip since a January ceasefire, with health ministry reporting 400 people killed, and Hamas accusing Benjamin Netanyahu of deciding to "resume war" after a deadlock on extending the truce.

ART & CULTURE

MALBA presents new Guillermo Kuitca exhibition

17-03-2025 17:42 'Kuitca 86' – New Guillermo Kuitca exhibition at MALBA revisits 1980s from a contemporary perspective, delving into the artist's work from the era.

by Rosario Bernasconi