CRIME & SECURITY Organised crime hampering growth in Latin America, warns World Bank Today 11:58 Organised crime in Latin America and the Caribbean is holding back economic growth, World Bank report warns.
Geopolitcs & trade Xi is trying to turn world against US as Trump cuts trade deals Today 11:03 Beijing officials are racing to turn foreign governments against the United States inside a 90-day window Trump has granted all nations — except China — to strike trade deals during a tariff reprieve.
GUEST COLUMN Truth or dare? Tariffs or closure of economies Yesterday 15:43 Confusing an algebraic exercise of hypothetical theoretical equilibrium by transforming it into economic policy can only occur in a poorly prepared mind, or perhaps one trapped in a swarm of cognitive biases. by Martín A. Morgenstern
POLITICS & ECONOMY Kicillof demands IMF probe into Georgieva's pro-Milei comments Yesterday 15:08 Buenos Aires Province governor and socialist lawmakers call for investigation after IMF chief’s controversial remarks that seemed to back Milei administration ahead of Argentina’s midterms.
STATE & RELIGION Church, Milei government play nice despite tensions, distrust 27-04-2025 20:35 Death of Pope Francis shines a spotlight on the relationship between Argentina’s religious leaders, the clergy and President Javier Milei’s government. by Juan Pablo Kavanagh
OBITUARY: POPE FRANCIS (1936-2025) The Pope from the 'ends of the earth' called to 'repair' the Church 26-04-2025 05:00 Jorge Bergoglio enters history as the first American Pope. During his time heading the Catholic Church, he reformed Vatican governance, pushed for peace and reconciliation and guided the Church through some of the darkest moments in recent years, taking measures against child abuse by members of the clergy. by Darío Silva D'Andrea
Analysing Argentina The shepherd who lost his country 26-04-2025 05:00 Argentina electing Milei, just as an Argentine was running the Vatican on a unifying message, is as if John Paul II had seen his Polish compatriots vote for a version of Joseph Stalin, rather than Lech Wałęsa. by Marcelo J. García
THE WEEK IN REIVEW Stories that caught our eye: April 17 to 24 25-04-2025 16:16 A selection of stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.
POLITICS & ECONOMY Peronist leaders accuse IMF chief of publicly backing Milei 25-04-2025 14:37 Axel Kicillof and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner accuse IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva of publicly backing President Javier Milei's government ahead of key elections.
BLOOMBERG REPORT Loan to Trump-friendly Argentina went against IMF board concerns 25-04-2025 11:23 Argentina's new loan with the International Monetary Fund was granted despite raising red flags for many of the lender's top decision-markers.
ENERGY & GAS JPMorgan, Citi among banks in talks for Argentina pipeline loan 25-04-2025 11:14 Money would fund Vaca Muerta Sur, featuring a pipeline running from Argentina’s shale heartland across northern Patagonia to the Atlantic coast.
Feria Internacional del Libro de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires Book Fair returns with Middle East tint 24-04-2025 18:34 Forty-ninth edition of Feria Internacional del Libro de Buenos Aires returns to La Rural, running until May 12. by Julia Malyszko
IMF SUPPORT FOR MILEI Georgieva urges Argentina to ‘stay the course’ with economic reforms 24-04-2025 15:43 IMF holds firm on 5.5% growth forecast despite global risks and trade uncertainty.
CURRENCY, FX POLICY Peso will float freely, but it’s not yet time, says Bausili 24-04-2025 10:24 Argentina’s exchange rate will be fully liberalised “in time,” says Central Bank Governor Santiago Bausili at event in Washington.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Economy grew more than expected in February 23-04-2025 22:47 Economic activity rose 5.7% in February year-on-year, reveals data from the INDEC national statistics bureau.
ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY Milei defies forecasts so far as Argentina’s peso strengthens 23-04-2025 22:41 Analysts see a stronger peso over the next few months with traders buying into President Javier Milei's plan.
Supply lines Latin America is master of its markets, not Trump, Bradesco says 23-04-2025 22:34 Outlook for Latin American shares depends more on local elections and fiscal and monetary policy than it does Donald Trump’s tariff war.
SUPPLY LINES Mercosur shields Paraguay from Trump tariff pain, says finance chief 23-04-2025 22:29 Membership in one of the world’s most protectionist trade blocs will help shield Paraguay from the worst of near-term disruptions caused by US tariffs.
ENERGY & GAS Governors seek Vaca Muerta investments at Texas energy summit 23-04-2025 11:12 Leaders from four provinces in Argentina – Río Negro, Neuquén, Mendoza and Córdoba – aim to showcase their competitiveness to the global oil elite in Texas at the Offshore Technology Conference. by Eugenia Muzio
AGRICULTURE & LIVESTOCK From meat to grains, trade war is a boon to Brazil and Argentina 22-04-2025 14:38 Escalating tensions between the United States and China have created an opening for Brazil and Argentina to ramp up exports.
FINANCING BOOST? Bessent signals US willingness to offer Argentina a credit line 22-04-2025 14:34 US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Trump administration would be willing to offer Argentina’s government a credit line if President Javier Milei’s economic turnaround was in jeopardy.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IMF holds firm on Argentina growth forecast despite global uncertainty 22-04-2025 12:35 Washington-based lender cites early 2025 economic rebound and rising confidence amid broader warnings over global slowdown.
GUEST COLUMN Malaysia’s capital control (cepo) success – a journey beginning in Buenos Aires 19-04-2025 06:03 Malaysia’s success highlights the importance of policy credibility, clarity of purpose and exit strategy in the use of capital controls.
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
Editorial Floating on air? 19-04-2025 06:00 Milei might echo Alfonsín by proclaiming: “Happy Easter, the dollar is in order” but early days – a more total exit from currency and capital controls by Macri in in late 2015 was even smoother, without ensuring him a happy ending.
the week in review Stories that caught our eye: April 11 to 18 18-04-2025 17:29 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina – including some pretty big announcements last Friday...
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Award-winning biologist slams Milei’s defunding of science 18-04-2025 00:31 Scientist Sandra Díaz has voiced criticism of President Javier Milei's government and its defunding of scientific research in Argentina.
EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL EU hopes Trump tariffs can nudge Mercosur deal past finish line 17-04-2025 09:10 Spectre of transatlantic trade war is fuelling hopes of a silver lining in Europe: that the long-awaited EU-Mercorur free-trade deal could get a final green light.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS What was the exchange rate when Milei came into office? 16-04-2025 16:10 Official exchange rate almost doubled from near 400 pesos to 838 pesos per greenback in the initial four days after Milei’s inauguration – now it stands closer to 1,200.
RELATIONS WITH WASHINGTON US Treasury secretary makes flying visit – with no extra dollars 16-04-2025 14:52 Behind the scenes of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s visit to Argentina. Lunch with business leaders, Caputo and Milei meets, celebrations at the Economy Ministry and trade talks. by Eugenia Muzio
Crime & Security La Matanza tops homicide stats in Buenos Aires Province 16-04-2025 14:23 More than 150 murders were recorded in La Matanza last year — 11 more than in 2023.
ANALYSIS: SHOCK THERAPY Milei risks reigniting inflation by floating Argentina’s peso 16-04-2025 12:35 Decision to ease currency controls is having an impact in the real economy. Retailers and importers are cautiously adjusting their prices as the peso weakens. And some fear it could spark inflation.
ENERGY & GAS Vista buys Petronas’ Argentina oil stake in US$1.5-billion deal 16-04-2025 12:25 Deal all but cements exit of Malaysia’s Petronas; It’s also a sign that development of Vaca Muerta will increasingly be spearheaded by homegrown drillers.
DIPLOMATIC ROW Chinese Embassy hits back after Bessent’s remarks in Argentina 15-04-2025 17:48 Beijing’s Embassy in Buenos Aires issues expressing “deep dissatisfaction and categorical rejection of the malicious slanders and libellous remarks” made by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during visit to Buenos Aires.
IMF BOOSTS RESERVES Central Bank reserves hit US$36 billion after first IMF tranche 15-04-2025 17:26 First disbursement of US$12 billion arrives from International Monetary Fund, boosting reserves; Official exchange rate rises to 1,223 pesos per dollar; Country risk falls to 725 points.
ENERGY & GAS PAE confirms shale gas reserves in Chubut Province 15-04-2025 16:51 Pan American Energy to invest US$250 million in project to exploit shale gas findings in Cerro Dragon field, says Chubut Governor Ignacio Torres.
GEOPOLITICS & DIPLOMACY Trump’s China trade war is forcing Latin America to pick a side 15-04-2025 14:02 Intensifying battle between world’s two largest economies has left governments grappling with the reality that their days of doing big business with Beijing without serious blowback from Washington are numbered.
US TREASURY SECRETARY Bessent expects Argentina to be able to pay off China swap 14-04-2025 19:13 Scott Bessent hails Argentina as a free-market beacon in Latin America; US Treasury secretary said he expects Argentina to be able to pay off its swap line with China, but that US government isn’t considering providing any direct credit.
AGRICULTURE & ECONOMY Milei tells farmers to sell soy now as peso slides 12% 14-04-2025 19:08 Farmers are starting to harvest their soy crop, worth billions of dollars in export revenues that Milei desperately needs at the Central Bank. But, so far, they have traded it at a crawl.
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.
CHAU CEPO 'Cepo' lifted: Peso depreciates 8.4% in initial trading 14-04-2025 13:24 Peso depreciated 8.4% against the US dollar at the open of markets on Monday, following the partial removal of foreign exchange controls in place since 2019.
ECONOMY – ANALYSIS IMF bets billions on Milei’s chainsaw to avert past debacles 13-04-2025 08:50 Frontloading disbursements is a controversial move that increases the IMF’s exposure to its biggest debtor, just as Milei faces the same policy dilemmas that have doomed his predecessors.
ARGENTINA & THE IMF Another IMF loan: for Argentina, it’s Groundhog Day 12-04-2025 15:24 Generations of Argentines feel their country is trapped in a recurring cycle: yet another loan from the International Monetary Fund to rescue a volatile economy.
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
IMF DEBT PROGRAMME Argentina and the International Monetary Fund: A long, tricky history 12-04-2025 09:29 Argentina, which has a track record of economic crises and hyperinflation, is already the IMF's biggest debtor, ahead even of war-torn Ukraine.
As I see it Trump has China in the crosshairs 12-04-2025 05:41 The 19th century belonged to the United Kingdom, the 20th to the United States. And the 21st? by James Neilson
Global politics – Analysis Trump, Milei and how to lose the trust of markets and voters 12-04-2025 05:37 Trump stepped back from the edge, at least momentarily, even though he is keeping his finger on the trigger. by Agustino Fontevecchia
Analysing Argentina Careful Javier, the ‘caste’ smells blood 12-04-2025 05:29 Legislators who had until now been cooperative or aloof toward confrontation with Milei are changing their tune, in line with what they hear from their constituencies. by Marcelo J. García
Campaign comments And so it begins 12-04-2025 05:22 This year’s midterm voting begins tomorrow in the major province of Santa Fe with the constituent assembly elections. by Michael Soltys
Editorial Into More Frustrations 12-04-2025 05:06 A Ruby Tuesday for President Javier Milei while the world at large is in an acute age of uncertainty thanks to Donald Trump’s tariff onslaught.
POLITICS – ANALYSIS Milei launches new economic phase, with nod to middle class 11-04-2025 23:56 Casa Rosada expresses satisfaction as alignment with Trump bears fruit and secures an unprecedented initial disbursement from the International Monetary Fund.
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.
END OF CURRENCY CONTROLS New peso-greenback currency band could mean 23% devaluation 11-04-2025 19:09 Argentina has announced the introduction of a new exchange rate band for the peso, ranging from 1,000 to 1,400 per US dollar, following the removal of currency controls next week.
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 – ANALYSIS Argentina lands US$20-billion IMF agreement and eases FX rules 11-04-2025 18:30 Central Bank says it will let peso trade within a range of 1,000 pesos to 1,4000 pesos per dollar in what’s called a dirty or managed float.
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.
CURRENCY WARS Argentina's Central Bank sells up to US$400 million to defend peso 11-04-2025 17:32 Argentina's Central Bank sold as much as US$400 million to defend the peso on Friday – the most in a day since mid-March.
MERCOSUR SUMMIT Mercosur to expand common tariff exemptions as trade war rages 11-04-2025 17:30 Mercosur countries have decided to relax common external tariffs on 50 products of the choice of each of its members, giving them more flexibility to negotiate deals.
ECONOMY – ANALYSIS Argentina inflation picks up more than expected before IMF deal 11-04-2025 17:28 President Javier Milei said recently he only expects inflation to fall below two percent in May or June, blaming the sticky inflation on political volatility.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW Stories that caught our eye: April 4 to 11 11-04-2025 16:56 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina and beyond.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS INDEC reveals uptick in inflation: Prices up 3.7% in March 11-04-2025 16:25 Inflation soared in March, accelerating to 3.7% – a second straight monthly rise; Consumer prices up 55.9% over the past 12 months, by 8.6% so far this year.
EURO TRADE PLANS EU races to expand two-trillion-euro trade network as US links sour 11-04-2025 13:49 The European Union is racing to clinch trade deals with countries around the world in an effort to diversify away from an increasingly protectionist United States.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Brazil’s inflation hits two-year high amid rate hike debate 11-04-2025 11:26 Brazil’s annual inflation rate at its highest level in two years.
EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL Trump’s tariffs may speed EU–Mercosur deal, says Orsi 11-04-2025 10:09 Uruguay’s president sees US protectionism pushing Europe to compromise on stalled trade pact
GLOBAL TRADE WAR Trump stuns with tariff backtrack 10-04-2025 19:26 US President Donald Trump upends global markets and trade by U-turning on proposed tariffs; Benefit for Argentina is only temporarily, unless new deal reached.
ENERGY & GAS Vaca Muerta shale patch a sure thing even at $45 oil, YPF says 10-04-2025 18:16 Falling oil prices won’t derail Argentina’s burgeoning shale boom unless they plunge below US$45 a barrel, says chief executive of state-run YPF SA.
US-ARGENTINA RELATIONS US Treasury secretary offers 'full support' to Milei ahead of visit 10-04-2025 17:26 In a show of support for President Javier Milei's "bold economic reforms," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will travel to Buenos Aires next week for meetings with government officials and business leaders.
CURRENCY SWAP Argentina renews part of China swap ahead of Bessent visit 10-04-2025 17:13 Argentina renews a portion of its US$18-billion currency swap line with China; Activated part being extended for another 12 months amounts to US$5 billion.