Most viewed of Buenos Aires Times

US lifeline buys Argentina time as investors urge overhaul

US$20-billion lifeline will keep Javier Milei from being engulfed by a currency crisis in the run-up to key mid-term elections. The outlook after the vote is less clear.

Argentina’s Economy Minister Luis Caputo says US willing to keep buying pesos

United States “is willing to continue buying pesos and bonds, and all options are on the table,” says Economy Minister Luis Caputo.

Milei heads to White House for political, economic lifeline

Argentina's president is banking on a high-profile show of political and economic support from his US ally President Donald Trump ahead of key midterm elections.

China accuses US of bullying after Bessent’s Argentina comments

Beijing's Embassy in Buenos Aires accuses Washington of Cold War-era intervention in Latin America after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggests President Milei is “committed to getting China out.”

Investment or political marketing? Analysing OpenAI’s Argentina announcement

Announcement by President Javier Mileil’s government of plans to create a mega AI data centre in Patagonia raises questions about its feasibility and geopolitical aims.

The jaws of defeat

The biggest unknown in these midterms is surely how many citizens are going to turn out to vote in the first place.

‘Panic Show’ name of the game

We are told that the choice is “libertad or kirchnerismo” but neither libertarians nor Kirchnerism will be able to do very much with the 110 of the 257 seats accruing to whoever wins – Argentina’s middle ground has far less seats than Brazil’s "centrão" but could carry equivalent clout.

Espert for President!

José Luis Espert’s fall from grace was dramatic, portentous. In just a few weeks, he went from one of the pillars of Javier Milei’s government to a political outcast.

Electoral court rules Santilli will lead La Libertad Avanza list in Buenos Aires Province

Argentina’s National Electoral Chamber overturns federal judge’s previous decision and rules PRO deputy Diego Santilli should top La Libertad Avanza’s list in Buenos Aires Province following José Luis Espert’s resignation amid scandal.

#10

Giovani Lo Celso scores only goal as Argentina defeat Venezuela in Miami

Giovani scores only goal of the game in Albiceleste's 1-0 win against Venezuela; No appearance from skipper Lionel Messi.

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OpenAI, Sur Energy to build massive AI data centre in Patagonia

US tech firm OpenAI and Argentine firm Sur Energy sign letter of intent for US$25-billion investment in artificial intelligence; Companies plan joint venture to develop Stargate Argentina, a massive AI infrastructure project that will include a data centre in Patagonia.

#12

Bessent’s big gamble on Argentina has a narrow road to pay off

For Scott Bessent’s US$20-billion bet on Argentina to pay off, a lot of things have to go right.

#13

Trump lifeline does little to boost Milei with voters in Argentina

Trump’s financial assistance for Argentina may be enough to shore up local markets, but it’s doing little to boost President Milei’s standing with voters.

#14

Elizabeth Warren asks hedge fund group if it played Argentina bailout role

Democratic US Senator Elizabeth Warren seeks information from hedge funds and asset managers over Washington's bailout of Argentina.

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Santander plays key role as US buys Argentine peso to back Milei

When US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent decided to buy Argentine pesos, it didn’t turn to a US bank.

#16

Stories that caught our eye: October 3 to 10

A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.

#17

Venezuela's María Corina Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize for 'civilian courage'

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado awarded Nobel Peace Prize for her "tireless work promoting democratic rights" and "struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy."

#18

Two years after the pogrom

Peace would have come to Gaza long ago if Hamas had returned the hundreds of hostages it seized on October 7.

#19

Argentine markets breathe sigh of relief as peso allowed to dip

Argentina’s government let the peso weaken Thursday for the first time this week, easing strains on the local market that had sent yields surging.

#20

Argentine rates exceed 80% as peso crisis sparks cash crunch

Short-term interest rates soar as the Milei government steps up efforts to defend the peso.

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United States buys pesos, confirms US$20-billion lifeline for Milei and Argentina

Washington steps in to save Milei with direct purchase of pesos and a US$20-billion currency swap; US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ready to take “exceptional” measures to stabilise Argentina’s economy in the face of "acute illiquidity.”

#22

Washington launches financial rescue of Argentina as US Treasury buys pesos

Trump and Bessent make bet on Argentina; Washington has finalised US$20-billion currency swap, with United States directly purchasing pesos.

#23

Congress votes to restrict Milei's ability to govern by decree

Lawmakers deal another blow to Milei, approving a law that will limit the use of presidential decrees and make them easier to overturn.

#24

Governor Maximiliano Pullaro: ‘The truth is people are doing very badly’

Santa Fe Province governor and member of Provincias Unidas voices concern over unrest and criticises the government’s disconnect with the nation’s economic reality. “The President shows himself as a rockstar, when we’re not doing well,” he complains.

#25

Triple murder probe: Most suspects now in custody, prosecutor says

Testimony from one detinee helps “clarify role of suspects”; Police report reveals alleged ringleader “Pequeño J” entered country from Uruguay in late August.

#26

La Niña forecast raises early alarm bells for Milei’s Argentina

Alarm bells are ringing in Argentina, where La Niña can cause heat waves and droughts that affect the country's main soybean and corn crops.

#27

Nucleoeléctrica sell-off: Discontent in nuclear sector over Milei’s ‘geopolitical’ turn

Halting the CAREM project, freezing plans to build the Atucha III and IV plants and entry into Washington’s FIRST programme all add up to a dramatic shift for Argentina’s nuclear sector. Critics accuse the government of violating “technological sovereignty” in favour of foreign interests.

#28

How President Milei put crisis on hold to play rock star

Head of state pretends to be rock star at bizarre book launch show in bid to revive sagging fortunes; After shouting his way through brief set, Milei talks economic policy, slams the left and talks up his “miracle” in Argentina.

#29

US report on Machado funds poses uncomfortable questions for Bullrich

US government report by Homeland Security indicates that Machado had already been linked to drug-trafficking and money-laundering in 2021.

#30

Argentina and Colombia advance to Under-20 World Cup quarters

Argentina and Colombia secure their spots in the U-20 quarter-finals with wins over Nigeria and South Africa, respectively.

#31

Xeneize fans gives late Boca Juniors coach Russo emotional stadium send-off

Argentine football fans queued up Thursday to pay their respects to one of the national game's greats at La Bombonera.

#32

Pope Leo highlights poor and marginalised in first-ever text

In the first major text of his papacy, Pope Leo calls for a focus on poverty, social justice, and challenges the marginalization of vulnerable communities.

#33

Argentina pulls out all stops in Milei’s defence of fragile peso

After burning through billions of dollars in reserves, Argentina’s government is getting creative and finding new alternatives to defend the peso.

#34

Milei’s dollar sales bolster the peso but stoke devaluation bets

Investors are betting that President Javier Milei will devalue the peso after midterm elections this month.

#35

Scandal-hit lawmaker Espert seeks leave of absence from lower house

La Libertad Avanza national deputy, now facing money-laundering probe over links to suspected drug-trafficker and fraudster, requests leave of absence until December 8 – two days before his term in office ends.

#36

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s would-be assassin given 10-year jail term

Fernando Sabag Montiel sentenced to 10 years in prison for the failed attempt to assassinate former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. His former girlfriend, Brenda Uliarte, received an eight-year sentence for her role in the attack. The third accused, Nicolás Gabriel Carrizo, was acquitted.

#37

Espert and Machado’s murky history

How the government’s main candidate in Buenos Aires Province became tainted by campaign contributions of dubious origin.

#38

Boca Juniors confirm death of coach Miguel Ángel Russo Russo at 69

Veteran coach and former player Miguel Ángel Russo has died at the age of 69; Beloved across football world, ex-Rosario Central coach led Boca to Copa Libertadores glory in 2007.

#39

Reichardt to top La Libertad Avanza list as judge rejects imposition of Santilli

Judge Alejo Ramos Padilla accepts José Luis Espert’s resignation as a candidate but not the swapping of names on the ruling party’s slate; Model and actor Karen Reichardt will top the La Libertad Avanza list in Buenos Aires Province.

#40

McEwen sees copper investors resisting latest Argentina woes

McEwen Copper releases feasibility study for Los Azules project in San Juan Province and is looking to go public early next year.

#41

‘$LIBRA’ case: Prosecutor seeks probe of phones belonging to Javier Milei, Karina Milei

Federal prosecutor Eduardo Taiano has ordered an investigation into the communications of the President, his sister and others accused of promoting the alleged cryptocurrency fraud.

#42

Argentina match moved from Chicago amid Trump immigration stand-off

Football match between Argentina and Puerto Rico is being relocated to Florida from Chicago, a day after the Texas National Guard arrived in the third-largest US city.

#43

IMF chief Georgieva: Public support is crucial for Milei’s reform push in Argentina

With a US$20-billion swap with the United States reportedly under discussion, IMF reinforces that Milei government's reforms will falter without popular support.

#44

We'll miss you, Miguel

Charismatic, easy-going and more often than not spotted on the touchline with a smile on his face, Miguel Ángel Russo was an old school symbol of Argentine football who was able to adapt enough to stay relevant almost three decades into the 21st century.

#45

Pressure on Gallardo builds amid River Plate's poor form

Marcelo Gallardo's job at River Plate is probably safe for as long as he wants it, but a failure to get the team going again would start to make his position uncomfortable for the first time.

#46

Milei running short of dollars as Argentina awaits US lifeline

Argentina’s Treasury is burning through its dollar deposits to prop up the peso, with traders estimating it has as little as US$700 million left in its coffers.

#47

Digital prostitution: Recession puts price on sex lives of youngsters in Argentina

Economic necessity and apps are acting as Argentina’s new “digital pimps.” Why growth of platforms like OnlyFans and Fansly is linked to global decline in sexual activity among young people. What the experts say and how the situation looks in Argentina.

#48

Argentina to extradite alleged drug-trafficker who funded Espert to United States

Milei government confirms that it will heed Supreme Court ruling and implement extradition as part of its commitment to international cooperation against organised crime.

#49

World Bank trims Argentina’s growth forecast to 4.6%

Argentina’s economy will grow by 4.6 percent in 2025, predicts World Bank economists – above domestic projections; World Bank slightly raises growth forecast for wider Latin America region.

#50

Suspected drug-trafficker breaks silence, admits to funding Espert’s campaign

Federico ‘Fred’ Machado, who faces charges of money-laundering and drug-trafficking in the United States, admits he financially contributed to La Libertad Avanza national deputy José Luis Espert’s 2019 presidential campaign.

#51

Boca Juniors says Miguel Russo is receiving ‘home care with reserved prognosis’

Boca had not released any official statements about his condition until Monday, although it is known that Russo was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017.

#52

Will there be light after two years in Hamas’ tunnels?

As we commemorate the second anniversary of the worst attack against Jews since the end of World War II, the return of the hostages is a priority.

#53

Espert not the only La Libertad Avanza candidate with alleged narco links

As well as the developing scandal starring José Luis Espert, there are other ruling party figures with chequered pasts – from deputy and senatorial candidate Lorena Villaverde to clients of minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona and the omniscient presence of Claudio Cicarelli, a friend of the aforementioned Patagonian legislator.

#54

Argentina's presidential planes cited in Machado investigation case file

In the same US court document that details the US$ 200,000-payment made by Federico 'Fred' Machado to José Luis Espert, there is a transaction mentioning official Argentine aircraft Tango 01 and Tango 04.

#55

Israel observes October 7 anniversary amid peace talks to end Gaza conflict

Indirect talks continue in Egypt as Israel marks two years since the deadly October 7 attack.

#56

Milei presents new book singing rock in midst of political crisis

Milei plays rock star in bizarre book launch praising his 'Argentine miracle.'

#57

Milei chooses ‘corrupt TikTok candidate’ Santilli to replace Espert

José Luis Espert’s resignation promotes ex-PRO deputy Diego Santilli to the top La Libertad Avanza candidate in Buenos Aires Province – but President Javier Milei hasn’t always been a fan…

#58

Bessent hosts Caputo in Washington as Argentina-US rescue talks begin

US Treasury official highlights “productive” talks as negotiations over fresh funds for Milei government continue; Argentina’s economy minister also meets IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva.

#59

Brazil's Lula asks Trump to remove tariffs in 'friendly' phone call

Two leaders share "friendly" 30-minute call in first talks since trade war row in part spurred by conviction of ex-president Bolsonaro.