News of coronavirus

BLOOMBERG

Government seeks to reach new IMF agreement before April

Today 00:49 Government seeks deal with the International Monetary Fund over a new financing programme before the end of March, in order to renegotiate US$2-billion payment owed to the Paris Club that matures in May.

Coronavirus pandemic

Miguel Etchecolatz, ‘Tigre’ Acosta test positive for coronavirus

Yesterdat 23:38 Two of the most infamous criminals convicted of crimes against humanity during Argentina’s last military dictatorship (1976-1983), Miguel Etchecolatz and Jorge 'Tigre' Acosta, test positive for Covid-19.

by Luciana Bertoia

FOOTBALL & CORONAVIRUS

Football clubs granted permission to restart training by government

Yesterdat 14:50 Health Ministry confirms safety protocols for returning of football training, with clubs due to play in Copa Libertadores set to restart first.

Coronavirus pandemic

Argentina surpasses 7,000 virus cases in a single day

Yesterdat 02:33 Health Ministry confirms more than 7,000 infections in a day for the first time since the pandemic began. Death toll rises to 4,106.

Global pandemic

Colombia's long virus lockdown fuels anxiety and depression

05-08-2020 23:49 In the Colombian capital of Bogotá, the mayor’s office reports that suicide attempts are up 21% since the start of quarantine, with psychologists also reporting a rise in new patients.

DEBT RESTRUCTURING

With debt deal done, Argentina must answer: What’s the plan?

05-08-2020 16:20 President Alberto Fernández’s next step is to start talks for a new International Monetary Fund programme against a harrowing backdrop.

Global pandemic

Virus exposes cracks in Brazil's public health system

05-08-2020 16:14 Brazil's health system, one of the only health systems in Latin America to offer universal coverage, has been strained by the coronavirus pandemic.

DEBT RESTRUCTURING DEAL

Support – and silence – from opposition economists in wake of debt deal

05-08-2020 00:31 Luis Caputo the most effusive in celebrating the government's deal with creditors, while Hernán Lacunza and Lucas Llach also express support. Alfonso Prat-Gay, the former official who was most critical of the deal, leads the criticism.

by Andrés Fidanza

DEBT RESTRUCTURING

Creditors 'pleased' with 'preliminary agreement' on debt restructuring

04-08-2020 23:43 IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva welcomes debt deal reached by Argentina and its creditors as a "very significant step."

Coronavirus pandemic

Argentina records new daily highs for Covid-19 deaths and infections

04-08-2020 23:30 Argentina registered 168 deaths and 6,792 infections with coronavirus on Tuesday, two record figures for a single day.

DEBT RESTRUCTURING

Economists praise debt deal but warn challenges on horizon

04-08-2020 18:38 Experts welcome government's agreement with creditors, but warn that Argentina must now correct imbalances and other issues.

DEBT RESTRUCTURING

'We resolved an impossible debt,' declares delighted Fernández

04-08-2020 14:19 President Alberto Fernández hails government after officials confirm Argentina has reached an agreement with three major creditors over restructuring of US$66-billion debt.

DEBT DEAL AGREED

Government hails ‘significant debt relief’ in accord with creditors

04-08-2020 09:44 Deal involves the Ad Hoc, Argentina Creditor Committee and Exchange Bondholder groups, as well as "certain other significant holders," Economy Ministry confirms in a statement.

DEBT RESTRUCTURING

Argentina reaches US$65-billion debt restructuring deal with creditors

04-08-2020 08:59 Government says in a statement that deal with key creditors would provide “significant debt relief.” While it statement didn’t provide a net-present value for the agreement, sources say the deal is worth about 54.8 cents on the dollar.

Global pandemic

Latin American coronavirus cases top five million

03-08-2020 23:52 Global infections passed 18 million, with Brazil driving the regional surge. South America's largest country has recorded 2.75 million cases, and close to half the region's 202,000 deaths.

BLOOMBERG

Argentina, creditors inch closer on US$65-billion debt deal

03-08-2020 17:47 The sides have moved closer over the weekend and are discussing a deal where creditors would receive about 54.8 cents on the dollar, according to three people with direct knowledge of the talks.

DEBT RESTRUCTURING

Ecuador wins bondholders’ approval for debt restructuring

03-08-2020 15:26 Creditors vote in favour of a restructuring plan for US$17.4 billion of debt that will see the South American country's capital and interest payments reduced.

Coronavirus pandemic

Government bans social gatherings in Argentina for next 15 days

02-08-2020 22:42 Health Access Secretary Carla Vizzotti confirms ban on social gatherings in all parts of the country until August 16, amid surge of Covid-19 infections and fatalities.

Coronavirus pandemic

Argentina surpasses 200,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19

02-08-2020 21:00 Health Ministry confirms 5,376 new cases, pushing country past 200,000 threshold.

Airlines & Aviation

LATAM airline says it will lay off 2,700 crew

02-08-2020 19:29 Latin America's biggest airline said Friday it was laying off at least 2,700 crew to cope with the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the aviation industry.

BLOOMBERG

Creditors seek international backing on debt clauses

02-08-2020 17:01 Bondholders approach several international organisations, including IMF and US Treasury, to seek endorsement for a proposal to change the rules that govern some of the country’s overseas securities.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

President extends Covid-19 lockdown ‘on same terms’ despite surge in cases

01-08-2020 08:47 ‘Cuarentena sin cambios’ – Lockdown in Buenos Aires metropolitan area extended until August 16, after week of record numbers of cases and fatalities.

Coronavirus pandemic

Government halts easing of virus lockdown for at least two weeks

31-07-2020 19:00 Officials decide to delay move to further ease confinement measures for at least two more weeks due to the high number of Covid-19 infections and for fear that the health system might collapse.

Coronavirus pandemic

Record Covid-19 highs: 6,377 new cases, 153 deaths in 24 hours

31-07-2020 03:13 As of Thursday, the country has recorded 185,360 confirmed cases, with 3,441 fatalities. According to Health Ministry records, 80,596 have recovered.

COPA LIBERTADORES

Fernández questions if local clubs should play in Copa Libertadores

30-07-2020 23:14 President asks if local clubs should be travelling to participate in the region’s most prestigious football tournament, given the advance of Covid-19 in Latin America.

Global pandemic

Brazil reopens to foreign visitors arriving by air, despite virus crisis

30-07-2020 11:04 Move comes even as Brazil registered record numbers of daily infections and deaths, bringing the overall figures past 2.5 million and 90,000, respectively.

LONG READ

Misinformation on coronavirus is proving highly contagious in US

30-07-2020 00:06 As the world races to find a vaccine and a cure for Covid-19, there is seemingly no antidote in sight to the burgeoning outbreak of conspiracy theories, hoaxes, anti-mask myths and sham treatments.

BLOOMBERG - OPINION

A refugee crisis is the last thing Latin America needs

29-07-2020 15:55 Latin America is already confronting a public health calamity, an unprecedented economic collapse and incipient social unrest. The last thing it needs is a refugee crisis, as well.

by Mac Margolis

BLOOMBERG

Blow for top crop traders as first Covid-19 cases confirmed at ports

28-07-2020 22:46 First cases of the coronavirus reported at port terminals, in a fresh blow to the global commodities trade already disrupted by the pandemic.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Hit by Covid-19 lockdown, exports fell 11% in the first half of year

28-07-2020 22:23 In the first six months of 2020, exports reached US$27.388 billion, reveals INDEC national statistics bureau.

DEBT RESTRUCTURING

Government to seek new IMF plan, regardless of outcome of debt talks

28-07-2020 14:43 Argentina will seek a new programme with the IMF whatever the outcome of talks with bondholders, says Economy minister Martín Guzmán.

DEBT RESTRUCTURING

Creditors once again reject government's debt restructuring offer

28-07-2020 14:36 In a letter sent to Economy Minister Martín Guzmán, signed by 30 funds, main bondholder groups reiterate rejection of deal on table and say they hold veto power over any agreement.

Global pandemic

Peru says over 900 girls, women feared dead since pandemic began

28-07-2020 00:15 A staggering 900-plus girls and women are missing and feared dead in Peru since Covid-19 confinement began, according to officials.

BLOOMBERG

Argentina's creditors boost bargaining power with new funds

27-07-2020 23:21 Main bondholder groups now say they represent 50% of Argentina's overseas debt, potentially strengthening their bargaining power against the government.

Coronavirus pandemic

More than 3,000 deaths from Covid-19 since pandemic began

27-07-2020 23:08 Health Ministry confirms 4,890 new cases and 121 fatalities. In total, Argentina has recorded 167,416 infections and 3,059 deaths since pandemic began.

Global pandemic

Global virus deaths pass 650,000 as new surges prompt fresh curbs

27-07-2020 17:08 Even as the grim figures keep rolling in, the World Health Organisation is arguing against a wholesale closing of borders, as global death toll reaches 650,000.

TRAVEL & TOURISM

Pandemic deals brutal blow to Argentina’s tourism industry

25-07-2020 07:51 Tourism chambers and agencies call for emergency legislation to protect businesses, with slump in activity expected to shave between one and four percent off Argentina’s GDP this year. More than 80,000 job losses anticipated across sector.

by Fermin Koop

BLOOMBERG

Jobs are being wiped out at airlines – and there’s worse to come

24-07-2020 15:34 About 400,000 airline workers have been fired, furloughed or told they may lose their jobs due to the coronavirus.

Bolivian elections

Bolivia postpones general election until October

24-07-2020 13:31 Authorities push back election to October 18. Vote was originally supposed to take place in May, but has since been postponed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic.

COPING WITH QUARANTINE

Pandemic poses challenges for porteños seeking therapy

24-07-2020 07:00 Quarantine measures have loosened in Buenos Aires enough to allow patients to visit psychologists in their offices starting, a welcome change for porteños who have struggled to find the privacy to engage in remote therapy sessions.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Economic activity slumped 20.6% in May from previous year

24-07-2020 01:42 INDEC confirms 13.2% contraction in first five months of 2020, though activity was up 10% on April, recovering some of lost activity during pandemic lockdown.

Global Pandemic

In struggle against pandemic, populist leaders fare poorly

23-07-2020 16:03 “Fact-denying populism is being shown its limits," says German Chancellor Angela Merkel in regards to the high number of Covid-19 cases concentrated in populist led nations.

Coronavirus pandemic

Covid-19 case spike puts Argentina's health system on alert

23-07-2020 15:39 Since Monday, Argentina has been recording around a hundred deaths daily from Covid-19, almost double the average of the previous week.

Coronavirus pandemic

Kicillof says Buenos Aires Province will pay Covid-19 patients to isolate

23-07-2020 11:38 Provincial government will pay citizens with mild cases of coronavirus 500 pesos per day (US$6.97) if they stay for 10 days in government facilities through the 'Acompañar' programme.

Global pandemic

Jobless and desperate: post-lockdown reality kicks across globe

23-07-2020 11:26 Many workers' lives have been abruptly upended by the coronavirus pandemic, as job losses in tourism, air travel, food and drink or other industries, hit those both on fixed contracts and in the informal sector.

Global pandemic

Latin America tops four million coronavirus cases

23-07-2020 11:06 More than four million coronavirus cases have been recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean, half of them in Brazil.

Coronavirus pandemic

Another day, another record: 5,782 new cases and 98 fatalities

23-07-2020 03:03 New figures mean that 141,900 infections have now been recorded, with 2,588 deaths. ICU bed occupancy in Buenos Aires metropolitan area rises to 64.3%.

Coronavirus Pandemic

Once-bustling La Boca struggles without tourists

23-07-2020 02:00 Legendary neighborhood, normally filled to the brim with tourists and shops, now appears deserted due to quarantine and travel regulations. Shopkeepers and residents struggle to cope with economic contraction and loneliness.

BOLIVIAN ELECTION

Bolivia's September vote in doubt as virus death toll rises

22-07-2020 17:49 A committee that advises the Health Ministry says holding September election would not be advisable given the rapid spread of the coronavirus.

council of the americas

Fernández asks creditors for 'understanding' on debt offer

22-07-2020 01:18 Argentina simply cannot pay more than the offer that is on the table, president says during Council of the Americas event.