News of fernandez

FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH

Demonstrators demand justice on 5th anniversary of Nisman's death

Today 00:49 Demonstrators rally in Buenos Aires to declare prosecutor was murdered and demand justice. Strong oppositional tone at event, attended by Elisa Carrió, Patricia Bullrich and late prosecutor's mother.

TRADE TENSIONS

Mercosur braces for change amid calls for new trade rules

18-01-2020 09:19 Regional trade bloc faces uncertain future, with Argentina now in the minority and Uruguay and Brazil seeking the right to secure trade deals outside the bloc’s remit

by Fermin Koop

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Argentina records highest inflation rate since 1991

18-01-2020 09:07 Prices increased by 53.8% in President Macri’s final year in office, reveals INDEC.

ARGENTINA’S ECONOMIC TURMOIL

No plan (B)?

18-01-2020 07:58 With Alberto having set March 31 as the deadline for any restructuring plan, it appears irreversible damage to the embattled private sector will continue at least until then, undermining the potential recovery. Even if Guzmán comes back with an acceptable proposal, how will the economy grow?

by Agustino Fontevecchia

DIPLOMACY

Bolsonaro taunts Fernández over US support for Brazil's OECD bid

17-01-2020 17:57 "We want Argentina to work, but we know that because of the political party there they will have difficulties," says Brazilian leader.

Argentine exodus?

'Pepe' Mujica rejects Lacalle Pou's tax incentive for Argentines

17-01-2020 16:40 Former president rejects incoming leader's idea of tempting Argentines over the Río de la Plata and said efforts should focus instead on investing Uruguayan capital back into the country.

CENTRAL BANK

Central Bank cuts interest rates for fourth time in just over a month

17-01-2020 13:49 The reforms consist of a reduction in interest rates to improve demand and will allow companies to send foreign currency to enhance international trade and capital control.

First Foreign Trip

Symbolic and strategic: Fernández picks Israel for first foreign trip

17-01-2020 00:12 President’s decision to visit Jerusalem next week welcomed by Jewish community in Buenos Aires.

by Joseph Charney

DIPLOMACY

Casa Rosada puts brakes on Vatican ambassador nomination

16-01-2020 21:05 Career diplomat Luis Bellando’s nomination – which had already been submitted – withdrawn. Initial reports suggest Holy See rejected on grounds envoy was divorced, but deeper dive reveals a more complex panorama.

IMF TALKS

Argentina looks to IMF talks as thaw settles in on both sides

16-01-2020 16:52 Talks between the government and the International Monetary Fund quietly began to get into gear this week, with Argentina seeking a quick renegotiation of the conditions of its US$44-billion loan.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

53.8%: Argentina posts the highest inflation rate in 28 years

15-01-2020 17:51 INDEC reveals prices last year increased by the highest rate since 1991, with inflation in December coming in at 3.7%.

Bloomberg

US to prioritise Brazil over Argentina in OECD reversal

15-01-2020 09:06 Washington to tell OECD officials that US now prioritises Brazil's bid for membership, rather than Argentina's.

THE PRESIDENT & THE PONTIFF

Fernández to meet Pope Francis at Vatican on January 31

14-01-2020 16:33 The meeting – the first between the two since Fernández assumed the presidency – will take place on Friday, January 31 at 11am local time (around 7am in Argentina).

EXTRAORDINARY SESSIONS

Full agenda for Congress ahead of return to activity

14-01-2020 12:36 President Fernández says law to create an "Economic and Social Council" is ready to be sent to Congress for debate, along with a host of other bills.

by James Grainger

AS I SEE IT

Alberto and his doppelganger

11-01-2020 10:42 Alberto is like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde; there are two very different people inhabiting the same body. Both may appear almost simultaneously on your television screen.

by James Neilson

NEW ERA IN ARGENTINA

Alberto’s ‘Robin Hood’ approach offers clues for the future

11-01-2020 10:16 On debt, the government hopes to get a grace period of four years in an ideal scenario, but given the ambiguous willingness that IMF staffers and creditors seem to be showing, it is likely to get closer to two – if things go relatively well.

by Marcelo J. Garcia

FERNÁNDEZ ADMINISTRATION

Vilma Ibarra and Cecilia Todesca: Essential and ‘inseparable’

11-01-2020 08:15 Two officials did not meet each other in person until after Alberto Fernández’s election win. But only weeks in, the duo have become key cogs in the machinery of his government.

by Rosario Ayerdi

FERNÁNDEZ'S FIRST MONTH

Fernández walks tightrope as he celebrates first month in office

09-01-2020 20:00 A month into his presidency, Peronist leader has embarked on an ambitious and risky juggling act in a bid to drag Argentina out of its worst economic crisis in almost 20 years.

CORRUPTION & THE COURTS

Federal judge acquits Oyarbide in 'Cuadernos' graft case

09-01-2020 18:03 In related news, Claudio Bonadio acquits Guillermo Dietrich, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta and others of allegations regarding overpriced contracts for the construction of the Paseo del Bajo underpass.

MIGUEL PESCE INTERVIEW

Miguel Pesce: Central Bank will try to cut rates, slow inflation

09-01-2020 12:46 New Central Bank chief refuses to make inflation forecasts, saying he wants to rebuild the institution’s credibility “with results.”

ECONOMIC MEASURES

Kulfas praises businesses as government re-launches Precios Cuidados

08-01-2020 17:46 Government re-launches price-controls scheme with a list of 310 items, which includes "leading brand" products "at reasonable prices," according to officials.

Envoy in Buenos Aires

Foreign Ministry withdraws 'special' status of Guaidó's envoy in Argentina

07-01-2020 16:10 Government officials retract "special mission" status granted to Elisa Trotta Gamus, who was feted by former president Mauricio Macri as opposition leader's ambassador in Buenos Aires.

Bloomberg

Fernández administration walks a fine line on Venezuela crisis

07-01-2020 08:13 Complications from crisis in Venezuela highlight president's delicate balancing act over an issue that is splitting Latin America’s political allegiances.

CRISIS IN VENEZUELA

Government condemns 'unacceptable harassment' of opposition in Venezuela

06-01-2020 12:06 “To impede by force the functioning of the legislative assembly is to condemn oneself to international isolation," Foreign Minister Felipe Solá posted on Twitter.

NEW MEASURE

Government confirms 4,000-peso increase for private-sector workers

06-01-2020 10:31 Labour minister announces rise for private-sector workers, with 3,000 pesos falling due with this month’s wage and the rest in February.

CAPITAL CONTROLS

‘Strict’ foreign-exchange controls to stay in place, says Kulfas

05-01-2020 08:26 “In the current context, strict exchange rate regulations are inevitable,” says production minister

NEW ERA IN ARGENTINA

Building a centre by sheer force of word

04-01-2020 09:23 A president should craft his words carefully and use them with conscious moderation, knowing that any word that comes out of a head of state’s mouth is virtually seen as policy.

by Marcelo J. Garcia

AS I SEE IT

The fruits of populism

04-01-2020 07:27 Unless Alberto Fernández succeeds in turning the economy around within six months or so, the country could find itself back where it was in late 2001 and early 2002: flat broke, with a huge number of people previously unacquainted with real poverty barely getting enough to eat and irate foreign creditors banging at the door.

by James Neilson

POLITICS & LABOUR

Happy this is not an election year

04-01-2020 07:05 The interaction between President Fernández and Governor Kicillof will be watched closely. The ruling party can’t afford to see its popularity drop in its giant bastion before its federal fiscal policies have a chance to kick in.

by Martín Gambarotta

PETROL PRICES

Uncertainty after Fernández orders YPF to halt rise in petrol prices

03-01-2020 07:00 President’s decision to order the YPF state oil company to halt a five percent increase in petrol prices creates uncertainty among producers and suppliers.

SALARY NEGOTIATIONS

Fernández asks workers not to make ‘excessive demands’ in wage talks

03-01-2020 06:00 “I want to ask those who work to take the situation into account and not make undue demands because that impacts economic results,” said the president in an interview with Radio 10.

BLOOMBERG

US warns Argentina that IMF deal is threatened by ties with leftist allies

02-01-2020 21:03 Senior Trump administration official tells Bloomberg that sheltering Evo Morales and engaging with Nicolás Maduro crosses a red line – and it could cost Argentina investment in the Vaca Muerta shale fields.

LATE PROSECUTOR'S DEATH

Fernández: I doubt Nisman committed suicide, but there's no proof of murder

02-01-2020 20:40 "I doubt that someone who was going through a euphoric moment could commit suicide," says president, as he comments on late prosecutor's death.

CORRUPTION & THE COURTS

Rulings deliver mixed blessings for Kirchners in the courts

02-01-2020 19:52 Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner committed to trial for alleged misallocation of public works contracts, while her son Máximo Kirchner was acquitted of campaign-funding irregularities.

ABORTO LEGAL

Fernández confirms he will send Congress bill in 2020 to legalise abortion

01-01-2020 09:59 Issue will be "addressed in 2020," confirms president in radio interview. A bill to legalise the procedure in Argentina failed to clear in the Senate in 2018, after passing the lower house Chamber of Deputies.

NEW ERA IN ARGENTINA

Fernández seals first 'social agreement' with business leaders, unions

29-12-2019 22:57 First meeting of Economic and Social Council ends with signing of four-page document – the "Compromiso Argentino para el Desarrollo y la Solidaridad."

2020: THE YEAR AHEAD

Alberto’s New Year’s resolutions

28-12-2019 09:56 What exactly is on Alberto Fernández’s New Year’s resolution list for 2020?

by Marcelo J. Garcia

FERNÁNDEZ’S PLAN FOR 2020

Buying time

28-12-2019 08:59 It is difficult to imagine how Alberto Fernández’s pompous rhetoric, and lack of a concrete and structural plan, will “put Argentina back on its feet,” as he promised throughout the campaign.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Six-month freeze for public transport fares in Greater Buenos Aires

27-12-2019 15:03 Government announces freeze of public transport fares in and around the capital for six months, as it undertakes a comprehensive review of increases.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

BA stock exchange soars as economic measures kick in

26-12-2019 21:50 The Buenos Aires stock exchange rose by almost six percent on Thursday as a package of economic reforms came into effect in Argentina.

DIEGO AND ALBERTO

Maradona meets President Fernández at the Casa Rosada

26-12-2019 15:48 President Alberto Fernández – a fan of Argentinos Juniors – welcomed Diego Maradona to the Casa Rosada on Thursday, with the footballing legend later taking to the building's famous balcony.

DIPLOMATIC SPAT

Chile tells Argentina not to comment on 'internal policy situations'

24-12-2019 09:41 Foreign Ministry in Santiago contacts Felipe Solá to complain about comments made by Alberto Fernández, after Peronist leader highlights number of those arrested during protests in neighbouring country.

Ley de Solidaridad

Government publishes emergency economic measures in Official Gazette

24-12-2019 09:02 Sweeping economic passage published as Alberto Fernández reveals IMF team will arrive in Buenos Aires for talks "in the coming days." President admits he hopes for single-digit inflation by 2023.

Ley de Solidaridad

Cafiero: Government will approve emergency economic measures today

23-12-2019 17:23 "The enactment will be today," says Cabinet Chief.

INTERVIEW

Argentina is in 'virtual default,' declares President Fernández

23-12-2019 08:53 "It is not the same as 2001, but it is similar," Fernández said in an interview with TV programme La Cornice. "Today we are in virtual default."

BLOOMBERG – ANALYSIS

Fernández secures sweeping powers to conduct debt talks

22-12-2019 22:29 President will now have more authority to negotiate with creditors, raise worker salaries and hike taxes. Government secured passage with concessions including lower export taxes on oil, gas and mining, and tax relief for small farmers.

Ley de Solidaridad

Fernández's economic emergency law wins approval in Senate

21-12-2019 09:13 Sweeping legislative package will include imposing tax increases on sectors of the upper and middle classes, as well as providing tax incentives for production and tax benefits to the most impoverished.

EMERGENCY BILL

Senate set to approve Fernández’s emergency bill

21-12-2019 08:20 After a marathon session, lawmakers in the Chamber of Deputies approve new president’s legislative project, sending bill to Senate.

Bloomberg

Argentina debt restructuring may be shaped by just two words

20-12-2019 16:25 A new rule within the collective action clauses (CAC) leaves potential for a dispute with investors, which could prompt the government to opt for a second-limb vote and extend the restructuring process

INTELLIGENCE SERVICES

Fernández taps Caamaño to lead overhaul of AFI intelligence agency

20-12-2019 13:35 Cristina Caamaño looks set to leader the overhaul of much-criticised intelligence agency, which the new president painted as a threat to democracy during his inaugural speech to the nation.