News of controls

Corporate defaults start piling up as Milei policies kick in

07-05-2025 12:28 As Javier Milei removes the distortions that once characterised Argentina’s economy, companies that bulked up on debt by exploiting exchange rate gaps are hurting.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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

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.

IMF: Formal talks over new deal with Argentina have begun

19-12-2024 21:09 The International Monetary Fund and Argentina have formally begun negotiations over a new loan agreement as the current programme draws to a close.

Argentina weighs managed exchange rate once it lifts currency controls

16-12-2024 19:44 President Javier Milei's government is weighing whether to introduce a managed exchange rate regime — a “dirty float” — once it lifts its current foreign exchange controls in 2025.

Milei vows to axe capital controls and negotiate Trump trade deal

11-12-2024 09:50 President Javier Milei promises to lift capital and currency controls next year and negotiate a free-trade agreement with the United States once Donald Trump takes office.

Milei touts US$50 billion from investors eyeing 30-year loopholes

02-12-2024 13:04 Argentina has abundant natural resources and legions of well-educated workers. But it struggles to attract investors because its politicians have a habit of changing the rules on a whim.

Argentina ‘sure’ of new IMF deal, says it doesn’t depend on Trump

21-11-2024 14:28 IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack says authorities in Argentina are “exploring the option of moving to a new arrangement” with the multilateral lender to replace its existing US$44-billion loan programme.

Why Milei can’t lift currency controls any time soon

16-10-2024 12:15 Argentina has had strict currency controls in place for the past nine out of 13 years. President Javier Milei wants to get rid of them, but for now, he's sticking to the existing regime.

Government to adopt flexible exchange rate after lifting controls

15-10-2024 23:17 Milei states at conference that government will adopt a “flexible” exchange rate on the peso after it lifts capital controls.

Milei’s push to rebuild Argentina’s foreign reserves grinds to a halt

26-06-2024 23:36 Argentina's Central Bank is struggling to rebuild its chest of foreign reserves as it starts to spend money in currency markets to defend controls propping up the peso.

Caputo says Argentina will seek new IMF programme to exit 'cepo'

11-06-2024 12:57 Economy Minister Luis Caputo says President Milei’s government intends to “negotiate a new programme” with the International Monetary Fund that will allow Argentina to remove currency controls.