News of luis

Transport secretary for chop as Milei government churn continues

Yesterday 15:18 Franco Mogetta, linked to Córdoba Province Governor Juan Schiaretti, set to be latest official removed from President Milei’s administration.

latin america

Evo Morales vows no surrender in bid to reclaim Bolivian presidency

Yesterday 09:31 Bolivia's first Indigenous president plans to formally launch a bid for a fourth term, despite being barred from running again.

NEW MEASURES

Argentina eliminates export duties for thousands of manufactured goods

30-04-2025 21:34 President Javier Milei's government eliminates export duties for thousands of industrial products; Economy Minister Luis Caputo says tax levy was "affecting competitiveness" in announcement hailing the move.

POLITICS & ECONOMY – ANALYSIS

Milei dreams of re-election – with IMF's help

19-04-2025 06:00 Whether signing an IMF deal represents a “day of liberation” or one of mourning, it lifts a cloud of uncertainty and allows the political ecosystem to focus on upcoming elections.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

Analysing Argentina

Milei and the bicycle temptation

19-04-2025 06:00 The Milei government is confident it can make it to the midterm elections in October without major volatility. But this relative calm — won by force of debt — should not obscure the storm that was brewing before the cash injection.

by Marcelo J. García

Foreign relations & diplomacy

US Treasury secretary offers 'full support' to Milei at Casa Rosada

14-04-2025 17:29 US Treasury Scott Bessent visits Buenos Aires for talks with Javier Milei, his economic team and private-sector representatives; Official tells President he wants Washington to be Argentina's "partner of choice".

ECONOMIC CHANGES

Peso slides, bonds jump after FX rules lifted

14-04-2025 13:46 Argentina’s sovereign debt climbed Monday while the peso slipped after the country lifted most of its currency-market restrictions.

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

Milei gains 'breathing room' from his ties with Trump

12-04-2025 11:54 The support President Milei has garnered from the Trump administration stands in stark contrast to the mounting challenges on the home front.

by Pablo Varela

ECONOMIC CHANGES

Milei ends 'cepo' as IMF board approves US$20-billion bailout

11-04-2025 23:32 Milei declares "cepo is gone for good" as IMF unlocks US$12 billion in immediate funding and Argentina lifts capital controls in 48-month US$20-billion programme.

FIN DE CEPO?

Caputo announces new IMF deal, end to exchange controls

11-04-2025 18:45 President Javier Milei's government announces elimination of foreign exchange controls ahead of confirmation of new US$20-billion IMF programme.

ECONOMY & POLITICS

'Chau cepo?': Argentina overhauls exchange rate access

11-04-2025 18:27 President Javier Milei’s government to lift capital and currency controls as of Monday, with exchange rate of between 1,000 and 1,4,00 per greenback; ‘Phase Three’ of economic programme will see monthly cap lifted for individuals and firms.

NEW IMF PROGRAMME

Milei nears US$20-billion Argentina loan as IMF staff sign off

09-04-2025 08:49 Members of the Washington-based lender’s executive board are expected to vote on the agreement Friday.

IMF PROGRAMME

IMF met again on Argentina as upfront payment proves contentious

04-04-2025 19:30 There is still no consensus among board members on the size of the upfront payment to Argentina, according to reports.

Foreign relations & diplomacy

Milei looks for IMF support, trade deal from Trump

03-04-2025 19:27 President in Florida to receive award; Milei seeking crucial backing from United States for new IMF programme, days after 10% tariffs are introduced.

MULTILATERAL FUNDING

World Bank promises ‘significant support’ for Milei's Argentina

02-04-2025 17:33 "Significant support" promised by Ajay Banga, head of the World Bank, as he meets with President Javier Milei at the Casa Rosada.

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 billion in fresh financing from the IMF, on top of its existing US$44-billion debt.

Editorial

Into More Frenzy

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

'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.

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.

TRAGEDY IN BAHÍA BLANCA

Five days on, Milei travels to storm-hit Bahía Blanca

12-03-2025 15:21 President insulted during surprise visit to Bahía Blanca, city devastated by last Friday’s storm; Reconstruction could cost up to US$400 million, says local authorities.

FLOODING & TORRENTIAL RAIN

Bahía Blanca 'destroyed' by massive rainstorm, 13 dead

09-03-2025 09:43 "We have to rebuild a city," a top official of Buenos Aires province said Saturday, after torrential rains and flooding claimed at least 13 lives in Bahía Blanca.

ANALYSING ARGENTINA

Exit rigging, enter RIGI

08-03-2025 06:00 Argentina has, many times in its recent past, seen long-term sustainability ruined by short-term objectives.

by Marcelo J. García

POLITICAL ANALYSIS

Challenging Milei’s ‘iron triangle’

08-03-2025 06:00 The Donald holds the keys to Milei’s future.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

NEW IMF PROGRAMME

‘Devaluation not the solution,’ says Caputo on IMF deal

06-03-2025 22:27 End of April target set; Deal could include US$20 billion in funds, says Wall Street bank.

Foreign relations & diplomacy

Caputo to skip G20 meeting in South Africa

24-02-2025 17:30 Argentina’s Luis Caputo is the latest economy minister to skip a meeting of G20 finance chiefs in South Africa.

IMF TALKS

Caputo says talks over new IMF agreement entering final phase

18-02-2025 11:12 “We’re onto the final points, negotiating the amount and the terms on which we agree,” says economy minister.

POLITICS & ECONOMY – ANALYSIS

Milei’s week of fury

15-02-2025 06:05 The market has doubts as to whether Milei and Caputo can sustain what is clearly a super strong peso, forcing them to come out publicly to defend their policy choices. The level of aggression with which they have defended their position suggests that the risks to their strategy are real.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

ANALYSIS

Argentina inflation hits lowest level since mid-2020

13-02-2025 16:41 Annual consumer price hikes dip below 100% for the first time in two years as Milei continues to tame inflation.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation slowed to 2.2% in January – lowest rate in four-and-a-half years

13-02-2025 16:06 Boost for President Javier Milei and Economy Minister Luis Caputo as inflation slows to 2.2%; Consumer prices have risen 84.5% over the past 12 months, according to government data.

NEW IMF DEAL ON WAY?

IMF: ‘Constructive discussions’ ongoing with Argentina over new deal

06-02-2025 22:59 Markets move on rumours of new deal with the International Monetary Fund, which again praises “enormous progress” made by Milei administration.

Editorial

Into More Funds?

01-02-2025 00:01 There seems to be a complacent assumption in many government circles that negotiations with the International Monetary Fund are a slam dunk now that Donald Trump occupies the White House.

CRIME & SECURITY

Eruption of organised crime changes Chile’s daily customs

31-01-2025 14:50 Chileans rely on emergency jewellery, armoured cars and word of mouth as organised crime damages nation's reputation as one of the safest countries in Latin America.

Tariff Threat

Trump holds off on Colombia tariffs after migrant deal

27-01-2025 12:22 US president sends a powerful message by threatening sweeping tariffs on Latin American ally to push forward his geopolitical goals on migration.

Analysing Argentina

Milei’s learning curve

25-01-2025 06:48 Milei’s learning curve should take note from his predecessors: too much orthodoxy or unorthodoxy leads to trouble.

by Marcelo J. García

AGRICULTURE & ECONOMY

Government temporarily reduces export duties in boost for farmers

23-01-2025 23:19 Economy Minister Luis Caputo confirms that Argentina will temporarily lower export duties.

International Monetary Fund

Caputo returns to Argentina for talks with IMF team

23-01-2025 14:46 IMF Managing Director Georgieva meets President Javier Milei in Washington, highlights "tremendous progress" of Argentina’s economy. Technical team already in Buenos Aires, but Economy Minister Luis Caputo plays down talk of rapid removal of currency controls.

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

IMF to send team to Argentina after ‘excellent’ Milei meeting

20-01-2025 09:21 IMF Managing Director Georgieva meets President Javier Milei in Washington and highlights "tremendous progress" of Argentina’s economy. An IMF team will travel to Buenos Aires next week to accelerate talks over a new programme.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Argentina posts fiscal surplus after Milei’s budget cuts

17-01-2025 18:49 President Javier Milei made good on his promise to deliver a fiscal surplus in his first year, achieving a feat not seen in over a decade in Argentina’s deficit-prone economy.

CENTRAL BANK MANOUEVRES

Argentina takes steps to dollarise and holds key rate

17-01-2025 11:49 Argentina’s Central Bank said payment intermediaries will have to enable debit card transactions in US currency by February 28, marking a key step in President Javier Milei’s pledge to dollarise the economy.