News of James Grainger

James Grainger

Editor-in-Chief, Buenos Aires Times.

Charlie Taylor: ‘People are always excited at speaking truth to power’

08-10-2022 14:39 BBC Series Producer Charlie Taylor explains why the British broadcaster returned to Buenos Aires for the latest edition of 'World Questions' show and why audiences are always full of surprises.

by James Grainger

US Ambassador to Argentina Marc R. Stanley.

Exclusive interview

US Ambassador Marc Stanley: ‘I see a once in a generation opportunity for Argentina'

01-07-2022 14:30 Joe Biden’s envoy in Buenos Aires discusses his approach to diplomacy, bilateral relations and President Fernández's upcoming trip to Washington.

by James Grainger

President Alberto Fernández touches down in Madrid, accompanied by Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero.

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

Alberto jabs at Cristina as he talks up opportunities in Europe

12-05-2022 16:00 President shows off his independent streak during tour of Spain, Germany and France as he criticises vice-president’s “partial view” of challenges facing Argentina.

by James Grainger

A shopper checks the price of mate in a supermarket in Buenos Aires.

POLITICS & ECONOMY

Soaring inflation casts long shadow for Guzmán ahead of IMF talks

15-04-2022 20:19 Tensions in ruling coalition and runaway price hikes pose difficult questions for minister ahead of trip to Washington.

by James Grainger

FOREIGN MINISTER'S FAUX PAS

Communication, diplomacy and dickheads

18-03-2022 21:14 Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero's use of the English language comes under the spotlight.

by James Grainger

IMF DEBT DEAL

Government, opposition tell IMF Argentina is ready to ‘meet its obligations’

12-02-2022 09:59 Rare signs of unity as Frente de Todos and Juntos por el Cambio indicate they will support IMF agreement in Congress; Fund spokesman says staff are working closely with government officials to secure new financing deal "as quickly as possible."

by James Grainger

US Ambassador to Argentina Marc R. Stanley presents his credentials to President Alberto Fernández.

DIPLOMACY

New US ambassador presents credentials to President Fernández

24-01-2022 21:33 Marc R. Stanley presents credentials to President Alberto Fernández, formally assuming his post as Washington’s representative in Buenos Aires.

by James Grainger

POLITICS

Buenos Aires provincial legislature approves mayoral re-election for 2023

31-12-2021 00:50 Mayors, lawmakers and councillors in Buenos Aires Province can now seek a third term in office after provincial deputies speed through vote modifying law preventing their re-election after two consecutive terms in office.

by James Grainger

THE BUENOS AIRES HERALD BEGAN THE KIDDIES XMAS FUND SOME YEARS AGO TO BRING A BIT OF THE LIGHT OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON TO CHILDREN.

COMMUNITY

Kiddies’ Christmas Fund – bringing seasonal cheer to those in need

18-12-2021 07:51 Help the ABCC bring a bit of the light of the holiday season to those less fortunate this year.

by James Grainger

Armando Bó will make a new feature film based on the life of former Buenos Aires Herald editor Robert Cox.

FILM & CINEMA

Oscar winner Armando Bó to direct film based on ex-Herald editor Robert Cox

04-12-2021 00:30 Scribe behind Oscar-winning feature 'Birdman' to bring the Buenos Aires Herald newspaper to the silver screen. Film will look at former editor Robert Cox’s struggle to confront the military dictatorship about its crimes through the eyes of him and his family.

by James Grainger

Left: Lucas González, playing for Barracas Central; Top right: The accused; Bottom left: Scenes near the location where Lucas died and the car he was travelling in.

DEATH OF LUCAS GONZÁLEZ

Killing of 17-year-old by three police officers sparks debate over ‘trigger-happy’ policing

20-11-2021 11:49 NGO expresses concern over use of ‘excessive force’ by officers after youngster Lucas González is shot in head twice by police officers in City neighbourhood of Barracas.

by James Grainger

British Ambassador to Argentina Kirsty Hayes presented her credentials to Secretary of Foreign Affairs Secretary Pablo Tettamanti at the Palacio San San Martín on Thursday.

DIPLOMACY

New British ambassador begins mission in Argentina

23-09-2021 23:05 Kirsty Hayes, who replaces Mark Kent as London's envoy in Buenos Aires, presents diplomatic credentials at Palacio San Martín.

by James Grainger

POST-PASO FALLOUT

Crisis grips Argentina's government, exposing split in ruling coalition

15-09-2021 21:49 Crisis broke out at rapid speed on Wednesday, as a flurry of resignations, urgent meetings and private phone calls laid bare a deep split in the ruling Frente de Todos coalition.

by James Grainger

President Alberto Fernández delivers a speech from the Frente de Todos bunker in Chacarita after the government's loss in the PASO primaries.

ELECTIONS 2021: PASO PRIMARIES

Government suffers heavy defeat in PASO primaries

13-09-2021 02:37 Frente de Todos suffers heavy defeats in City, Córdoba and Mendoza, while losing in heartlands including Buenos Aires and Santa Fe. Balance of power now up for grabs in the Senate, sparking concern in the Casa Rosada.

by James Grainger

A shipment of Sinopharm Covid-19 jabs arrived at Ezeiza international airport on Friday morning.

Coronavirus vaccines

Sinopharm delivery takes Argentina to 55 million vaccines against Covid-19

04-09-2021 10:12 According to government data, 46.3% of citizens aged over 18 have now completed their immunisation programme against Covid-19.

by James Grainger

Argentina goes back to the future for 2021 midterms.

ELECTIONS 2021

Argentina looks back for the future (again) as primaries near

21-08-2021 09:59 Campaign rhetoric heats up – and both the government and the opposition seem happy to keep things focused on the country’s divisive former presidents Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Mauricio Macri.

by James Grainger

2022 NATIONAL CENSUS

National Census to take place May 18 next year, says government

19-08-2021 22:26 President Alberto Fernández says Census will let country "know where Argentina stands." National survey normally carried out every decade, but this edition has been delayed by two years due to pandemic.

by James Grainger

Juan Zabaleta (left) and Jorge Taiana (right).

CABINET RESHUFFLE

Cafiero confirms Taiana, Zabaleta as new Cabinet ministers

09-08-2021 18:11 Former foreign minister Jorge Taiana will return to frontline politics, replacing Agustín Rossi as defence minister; Hurlingham Mayor Juan Zabaleta to take over Social Development Ministry, Daniel Arroyo departs.

by James Grainger

Argentina’s 2021 electoral season got officially underway this weekend as the nation’s political parties finalised their line-ups for the upcoming PASO primaries.

MIDTERMS 2021 / PASO PRIMARIES

PASO candidates named as 2021 election race begins

26-07-2021 19:00 Ruling Peronist coalition opts for a unified slate in most key districts; Opposition lines up Diego Santilli v Facundo Manes in Buenos Aires Province and María Eugenia Vidal's list will face others headed by Ricardo López Murphy and Adolfo Rubinstein in Federal Capital.

by James Grainger

PASO PRIMARIES

Neuroscientist Facundo Manes confirms midterms run

06-07-2021 14:27 Popular neuroscientist says he has decided "to accept the invitation from the Radical Civic Union and participate in the next elections.” Manes expected to run for national deputy representing Buenos Aires Province.

by James Grainger

PASO PRIMARIES

Opposition's PASO line-up comes into focus as Bullrich drops out

04-07-2021 23:50 PRO party leader Patricia Bullrich says she won't seek office in Buenos Aires City and will instead look ahead to 2023. Decision allows Horacio Rodríguez Larreta to impose a unified list headed by María Eugenia Vidal.

by James Grainger

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

God save the King of the Redes: Mark Kent bids farewell to Argentina

26-06-2021 11:59 Britain’s Ambassador to Argentina bids farewell after a five-year stint in Buenos Aires. "I leave feeling like I’ve done everything I could and everything I wanted to," Mark Kent tells the Times.

by James Grainger

#LAÚLTIMADEKENT

British Ambassador set for livestream social media Q&A

26-06-2021 01:11 Ambassador Mark Kent will bid farewell to the country next week with a livestream Q&A broadcast.

by James Grainger

A note from the editor

200 not out

26-06-2021 00:19 Thanks to all the readers, reporters, staff and helpers who have helped us reach 200 editions. Here’s to many more.

by James Grainger

Mauricio Macri and Elisa Carrió, pictured in November 2018.

JUNTOS POR EL CAMBIO

Macri faces friendly fire from ally after Covid-19 vaccination in Miami

17-05-2021 22:17 Ex-president’s decision to be vaccinated while in United States criticised by Civic Coalition leader Elisa Carrió and Senator Julio Cobos; Patricia Bullrich defends Macri, saying the 62-year-old “did not take a vaccine from an Argentine."

by James Grainger

ELECTIONS 2021

Reports: Government, opposition close agreement to delay PASOs

07-05-2021 22:00 Argentina’s government and the opposition have sealed an agreement to postpone the PASO primaries by a month.

by James Grainger

A film celebrating Ronnie's life and service was released Sunday, March 7, 2021.

NEW FILM

Ronnie Scott, 103-year-old WWII veteran, stars in new documentary

09-03-2021 07:00 Ronald David Scott is a well-known face among the local English-speaking community. Now, his incredible story is going global, thanks to a new film from Grammar Productions.

by James Grainger

HUMAN RIGHTS

ESMA IV trial: Eight new convictions for crimes against humanity

20-02-2021 08:13 Sentences handed down to eight individuals in ESMA IV trial for crimes against humanity, including illegal deprivation of liberty, torture, homicide and sexual assault.

by James Grainger

TRUMP ERA DRAWS TO CLOSE

Good riddance America – now let’s move on

16-01-2021 08:51 Ding, dong, let’s hope the Donald is politically dead.

by James Grainger

Mrs Kirsty Hayes has been appointed the UK's Ambassador to the Argentine Republic.

DIPLOMACY

Kirsty Hayes named Britain's next ambassador to Argentina

04-12-2020 21:02 British Embassy confirms that Kirsty Hayes has been appointed as the next UK ambassador to Buenos Aires, replacing the departing Mark Kent.

by James Grainger

Facundo's mother, Cristina Castro (right), is embraced at a rally in early September by a demonstrator.

Death of Facundo Astudillo Castro

Autopsy: Facundo Astudillo Castro's death was 'violent,' caused by 'drowning'

02-10-2020 14:55 Forensic experts conclude late 22-year-old died of “asphyxia by submersion,” adding it was not possible to determine if the young man’s death was a homicide due to “advanced skeletonisation of corpse.” No evidence of third-party involvement, nor that body was moved after death.

by James Grainger

Illegal espionage during Macri´s presidency.

ILLEGAL SPYING CLAIMS

AFI illegal espionage claims put Macri in spotlight

13-06-2020 10:13 Government-appointed trustee of AFI federal intelligence agency alleges illegal espionage carried out on politicians, journalists, academics and businesspeople during former president’s Mauricio Macri 2015-2019 administration. Among those probed are two Buenos Aires Times staffers.

by James Grainger

Pakistani Ambassador Dr Muhammad Khalid Ejaz.

WORLD THE PANDEMIC: GLOBAL VIEWS

New Pakistani ambassador waits to get to know his new home

16-05-2020 08:36 Buenos Aires has a new diplomat in town – but he’s stuck in the hotel. Pakistani Ambassador Dr Muhammad Khalid Ejaz arrived just days before Argentina entered its mandatory lockdown and, as he tells the Times, he’s eager to get to work and improve bilateral ties.

by James Grainger

Fernandez flanked by Kicilof and Rodriguez Larreta.

ARGENTINA CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

President extends general quarantine by two weeks as death toll nears 300

09-05-2020 09:37 Flanked by Kicillof and Rodríguez Larreta, Alberto Fernández lashes out at opposition ‘lies’ over lockdown.

by James Grainger

“It is a time of extreme vulnerability for many women.”

GENDER VIOLENCE

12 in 14 days: Femicides continue unabated despite quarantine

04-04-2020 10:39 Experts warn that nationwide shutdown puts vulnerable women at risk, as campaigners call for urgent action.

by James Grainger

Steve Titherington, BBC World Service Senior Comissioning Editor.

INTERVIEW

Steve Titherington: ‘Young people are consuming more news than ever’

21-03-2020 09:04 BBC World Service’s senior commissioning editor on public broadcasting, the digital revolution and journalism in the 21st century.

by James Grainger

A cartonero, pictured near a sign from the Health Ministry promoting regular hand washing, amid the presence of the new coronavirus.

LIFE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

Few certainties in a pandemic that touches all of us

21-03-2020 08:52 Life in the time of coronavirus will take some getting used to. An inelegant attempt to make sense of the incomprehensible.

by James Grainger

BBC WORLD QUESTIONS

Panel of experts debate Argentina’s future on BBC World Service

13-03-2020 19:18 BBC World Service’s ‘World Questions’ event affected by coronavirus outbreak – so experts hold debate without an audience, prompting series of fiery exchanges.

by James Grainger

TRADING PARTNERS

Bolsonaro, Fernández open to meeting, as ties with Brazil warm

15-02-2020 09:38 Foreign Ministry Felipe Solá flies to Brasilia this week, as ties with Argentina’s giant neighbour finally began to warm after weeks of remarks and rows.

by James Grainger

The seal of the International Monetary Fund is seen outside of the headquarters building in Washington DC on April 8, 2019.

FUND CONFIRMS

IMF mission team extends Buenos Aires trip to full week

11-02-2020 08:39 Spokesperson for the International Monetary Fund confirms that mission team will stay full week in Argentina, longer than three days originally planned, with talks over nation's debt burden set to enter crucial stage.

by James Grainger

The event brought together Aussies in Buenos Aires for a special evening marking their national day.

COMMUNITY

Aussie applause for a good cause

01-02-2020 08:45 Australian community in Buenos Aires comes together to fundraise for Australian bushfire appeal.

by James Grainger

A general view of the Congress on December 19, 2019.

EXTRAORDINARY SESSIONS

Full agenda for Congress ahead of return to activity

14-01-2020 12:36 President Fernández says law to create an "Economic and Social Council" is ready to be sent to Congress for debate, along with a host of other bills.

by James Grainger

Elisa Trotta Gamus, whose “special mission” in Argentina was downgraded this week.

ANALYSIS

Envoy downgrade underlines shift on Venezuela

11-01-2020 08:26 President Alberto Fernández’s ‘third way’ approach to crisis in country is ever more evident, after two key gestures in a week.

by James Grainger

Demonstrators celebrate the repeal of amendments to Law 7722, in Mendoza City this week.

LEY 7722

Protesters celebrate as Mendoza lawmakers repeal changes to Law 7722

04-01-2020 09:04 After days of huge demonstrations, provincial legislature votes to roll back mining protection law to its previous incarnation.

by James Grainger

2019 STRATEGY

Cristina’s bold call more than pays off

28-12-2019 08:48 As 2018 drew to a close, the mouth-watering prospect of a presidential race putting Mauricio Macri against Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was still a very real possibility. Fast-forward 12 months and much has changed.

by James Grainger

For now, it seems Macri will remain on the frontline.

ELECTION 2019

Mauricio Macri mulls next move, likely to lead opposition

02-11-2019 11:52 Multiple reports suggest that – despite tension among some Cambiemos figures – the president would stay on as leader of the opposition. 2023, however, is a long way away.

by James Grainger

The president is seeking four more years, but most onlookers expects Alberto Fernández, the former backstage operator turned frontman for a united Peronist ticket, to be smiling on Sunday night.

ELECTION 2019

One way, or another

26-10-2019 08:39 Amid economic and social disarray, voters head to the polls tomorrow as Argentina decides whether to back Alberto Fernández’s unified Peronist ticket or President Maurico Macri’s appeal for four more years.

by James Grainger

President Mauricio Macri, running for re-election with Juntos Por el Cambio, speaks during Sunday night's presidential debate, as rival Alberto Fernández, of Frente de Todos looks on.

ELECTION 2019

Macri and Fernández trade blows in aggressive second debate

21-10-2019 03:04 More aggressive tone to second and last debate in Buenos Aires, as President Macri links rival to corrupt Kirchnerite officials and Peronist rival hits back, citing president's family. Left-winger Del Caño the pick of other four candidates.

by James Grainger

Japan's new ambassador to Argentina, Takahiro Nakamae, presents his credentials to Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie.

DIPLOMACY

Japanese Embassy welcomes new ambassador to Argentina

05-09-2019 19:08 Takahiro Nakamae, who replaces former ambassador Noriteru Fukushima, presented diplomatic credentials to Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie on Wednesday.

by James Grainger

Roza Calderón and Cori Bush, pictured during their visit to the offices of Editorial Perfil SA in Buenos Aires.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

US progressives defy the odds in battle for Democratic Party’s soul

24-08-2019 16:04 In the United States, Democratic candidates for the House and the Senate are being challenged by a new surge of progressive, grassroots activists. Cori Bush and Roza Calderón detail the challenges of taking on established politicians and explain why Congress is failing Americans.

by James Grainger