News of government

TRANSITION 2019

Fernández tells IMF chief Argentina will 'comply with debt obligations'

Today 09:49 President-elect tells IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva that he has a plan to grow the economy and tackle the nation’s debt without "more fiscal adjustments."

Bolivian Election Crisis

Why Macri should condemn the military intervention in Bolivia

12-11-2019 23:00 A critique of Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie's statement about the intervention of Armed Forces in Bolivia – and a call for President Macri to rectify a grave error.

by Gustavo González

TRANSITION 2019

Fernández struggles to counter narrative that Cristina will be in charge

11-11-2019 16:43 Alberto Fernández is Argentina's next president. But before even taking charge he is battling claims that he is just a puppet for ex-president Cristina Kirchner.

PRESIDENT-ELECT TELLS CGT

Alberto Fernández: 'The labour movement is part of my government'

08-11-2019 17:11 Argentina's next leader praises Perón at umbrella union group's headquarters as he attends meeting and calls on union leaders to back his social-economic pact.

Noticias

The political transition taboo: Who goes to jail and who will be freed

06-11-2019 07:00 Since the election, the Judiciary is the talk of the town for both Macristas and Kirchneristas – and especially among those with convictions for corruption who claim they are "political prisoners."

by Silvio Santamarina

BLOOMBERG

Why Venezuela will influence Argentina’s IMF talks

04-11-2019 17:07 An imposing debt load and uncertainty about his economic policies already limit Alberto Fernández’s room for a renegotiation of the record IMF credit line, but his views on the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro are also softer than those of outgoing Mauricio Macri.

RELATIONS WITH WASHINGTON

Alberto Fernández planning US trip to visit Trump, oil majors

04-11-2019 15:20 Spokespeople for the Frente de Todos leader confirm president-elect intends to visit the US after his assumption on December 10, for a trip that would include a meeting with Donald Trump and a stop in Houston, Texas.

BLOOMBERG

Fine print on Argentine bonds becomes crucial as default fears grow

01-11-2019 13:28 President-elect Alberto Fernández says Argentina needs debt relief. Investors are paying a premium for bonds that they think will give them more negotiating power in the event of a default.

TRANSITION

Macri tells Cabinet to offer 'maximum collaboration" to Alberto Fernández

31-10-2019 16:33 President uses Cabinet meeting to instruct officials to prepare "all elements and materials" for incoming government, with Peronist government set to take power on December 10.

signs from Washington

US tells Fernández it expects him to 'uphold commitments' in IMF deal

31-10-2019 09:56 US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tells incoming government that Washington expects Argentina to uphold its commitments laid out in IMF loan package.

ELECTION 2019

Return of Peronism raises hopes – and expectations – among downtrodden

30-10-2019 17:49 Sunday's election result has created expectations among segments of poor, low-wage workers and excluded groups of better times ahead. But will rolling back the Macri adminstration's austerity measures be as simple as it sounds?

First appearance

Alberto Fernández promises governors he will lead 'a federal Argentina'

29-10-2019 14:29 In first public appearance since being elected president, Frente de Todos leader criticises Macri administration's policies and vows that "no-one else will go hungry in Argentina."

CRISTINA'S RETURN

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner returns to the corridors of power

29-10-2019 13:08 Former president, sitting senator and vice-president-elect is once again returning to a top position of power, a development that's rattling investors.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Arrival of Fernández set to deepen fragmentation in Latin America

29-10-2019 07:27 Peronist victory in Argentina's presidential election is set to cement a rift between region's largest nations, and suggests turbulence could extend for years.

ELECTION 2019

IMF chief: 'We look forward to engaging' with new Argentina government'

29-10-2019 07:05 "We look forward to engaging with his administration to tackle Argentina's economic challenges and promote inclusive and sustainable growth that benefits all Argentines," says IMF chief

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Argentine bonds decline in post-election trading, peso stable against dollar

28-10-2019 17:21 Local bonds dropped by the most in about eight weeks on Monday, as investors sought more clarity on economic policy under Alberto Fernández and his running-mate Cristina Fernández de Kirchner.

BLOOMBERG

Blow for farmers, boon for drillers? Election's winners and losers

28-10-2019 16:47 Agricultural producers fear shit in tax rates on soybeans, wheat and beef and tighter capital controls, but Fernández will likely do his best to spur drilling in Vaca Muerta and boost mining exports.

ELECTION 2019

Alberto Fernández gives Macri the names of his transition team

28-10-2019 16:03 At a breakfast meeting at the Casa Rosada, Peronist president-elect informs Mauricio Macri of the names of officials who will oversee the transition between the two governments.

INTERVIEW WITH NET TV

Durán Barba analyses Macri's defeat to Alberto Fernández

28-10-2019 02:41 Presidential advisor and political analyst addresses relationship between Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and president-elect Alberto Fernández. Yet he avoided specifics that led to Macri’s loss.

BLOOMBERG

Fernández wins in Argentina as voters rebuff Macri's austerity

28-10-2019 00:22 Opposition candidate wins presidential election, ousting pro-market incumbent Mauricio Macri at a time of economic crisis.

ELECTION 2019

Macri concedes defeat and extends a hand to Alberto Fernández

27-10-2019 22:39 President invites Peronist rival or breakfast at the Casa Rosada, describing Frente de Todos leader as "president-elect."

ELECTION 2019

First election results: Fernández 47.2%, Macri-Pichetto 41.4%

27-10-2019 21:16 Alberto Fernández emerges with near six-point lead with 71.58% of votes counted, as President Mauricio Macri improves performance on PASO primaries. Rodríguez Larreta on track to win City in first round, as is Kicillof in Province.

ELECTION 2019

Exit polls indicate Alberto Fernández wins election in first round

27-10-2019 20:00 Frente de Todos leader calls for unity after exit polls indicate Macri will lose election. Kicillof likely to win in Buenos Aires Province; Rodriguez Laretta to win race in the City.

ELECTION 2019

Voters head to polls as presidential election gets underway

27-10-2019 12:28 Opinion polls point to a victory for Peronist hopeful Alberto Fernández, as President Mauricio Macri seeks re-election and four more years in office.

VENEZUELANS IN ARGENTINA

Venezuelans in Argentina flee one crisis and now fear another

25-10-2019 09:37 Venezuelan who emigrated to Argentina fears that a victory by Peronist leader Alberto Fernández this weekend would deliver a crisis like the one back home.

ELECTION 2019

Fernández tells Argentines he will protect their savings and dollar deposits

23-10-2019 13:53 Presidential frontrunner asks markets and Argentina to "be calm," promising not to raid personal savings should financial turbulence hit country post-election.

BLOOMBERG

Once-bitten Argentine investors aim to avoid panic on Sunday

23-10-2019 11:33 A victory by Alberto Fernández this weekend would leave investors in a holding pattern as they await clarity on his policies and a the appointment of a cabinet.

LONG-TRAILED REFORM

Brazil Congress passes landmark overhaul of pension system

23-10-2019 07:32 The Senate voted 60-19 to adopt changes for civil servants and private-sector workers, handing President Jair Bolsonaro his first major legislative victory.

ELECTION 2019

Macri and Fernández trade blows in aggressive second debate

21-10-2019 03:04 More aggressive tone to second and last debate in Buenos Aires, as President Macri links rival to corrupt Kirchnerite officials and Peronist rival hits back, citing president's family. Left-winger Del Caño the pick of other four candidates.

by James Grainger

ELECTION 2019

Macri calls for comeback before huge crowd in Buenos Aires

20-10-2019 08:00 #SíSePuede march draws huge crowds to Obelisk, as president hails "rebellion of the people of peace."

ELECTION 2019

Macri’s longest and largest march – but will it be enough?

20-10-2019 00:42 One week before voters go to the ballot boxes, president tries to appeal to voters’ anger, frustration and dreams all at once.

by Carly Graf

ENVIRONMENT

Environment drops off radar after four years of contradictions

19-10-2019 08:09 Experts say the Macri administration is trying to have it both ways when it comes to environmental policies. And worryingly, the outlook doesn’t look much better under a potential government led by Alberto Fernández.

by Fermin Koop

ELECTION 2019

Fernández: 'Argentina's problem isn't Cristina. It's what Macri has left behind'

17-10-2019 08:01 Frente de Todos hopeful dismisses the worries that he would be unduly influenced by running-mate Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, should he win the October 27 election.

DIPLOMACY

Argentina formally recognises envoy of Venezuela's Guaidó's as ambassador

15-10-2019 09:38 Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie designates Elisa Trotta as the "maximum authority of Venezuela in Argentina," officially confirming her as ambassador.

ELECTION 2019

Candidates clash over economy, Venezuela in first presidential debate

14-10-2019 01:39 Macri and Fernández clash over economic turmoil, debt and the crisis in Venezuela took in Santa Fe, as the country’s six presidential candidates went face-to-face in the campaign’s first debate.

Bloomberg

Investors stuck in Argentina rush to local corporate bond market

11-10-2019 10:34 Foreign investors are starting to flock to Argentina’s usually sleepy local corporate-bond market, desperate to reinvest cash stuck in the country due to recently imposed capital controls.

BLOOMBERG

US turns down Brazil’s OECD bid, despite having endorsed it

10-10-2019 12:27 US government decides not to endorse Brazil’s bid to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, marking a reversal after months of public support from top officials. However, Washington indicates it does support membership claims from Argentina and Romania.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Argentina's external debt equivalent to US$6,310 per person

09-10-2019 17:24 Foreign debt continues to grow, with the total figure now standing at close to US$284 billion, according to INDEC. That works out to around 378,604 pesos per person at the current exchange rate.

UNIONS AND LABOUR

With Fernández present, Yasky's CTA approves reunification talks with CGT

04-10-2019 08:58 Presidential frontrunner Alberto Fernández attends meeting in Lanús, at which CTA members vote to back opposition and open talks with CGT with view to reunification, nearly three decades on from split.

by Aurelio Tomás

PROVINCIAL RELATIONS

Supreme Court rules for provinces in row over tax, IVA cuts

02-10-2019 16:42 In a blow to the Macri administration, Justices rule that national government's post-PASO measures should not be funded by co-participatory funds.

POVERTY

UCA predicts poverty rate will reach '39% or 40%' by end of 2019

01-10-2019 13:34 Head of Catholic University's influential Social Debt Observatory issues warning after INDEC data published Monday showed 35.4% of Argentines are considered poor.

ELECTION 2019

Before large crowd of supporters, Macri vows to turn around presidential race

30-09-2019 10:20 “This election can be turned around,” president tells crowd of thousands who descended on the Barrancas de Belgrano neighbourhood of the capital on Saturday for the first '#SiSePuede' rally.

CRISIS IN VENEZUELA

US, Latin American nations invoke treaty in bid to pressure Venezuela

23-09-2019 22:12 Argentina among group of nations that agree to work together to investigate and probe Venezuelan officials and associates accused of drug-trafficking, money-laundering and financing terrorism.

Bloomberg

Juan Luis Manzur: Argentina needs a mature relationship with IMF

23-09-2019 15:48 Tucumán Governor Juan Luis Manzur says presidential hopeful Alberto Fernández is "a man of dialogue and consensus" who will honour Argentina's debt obligations.

ECONOMIC MEASURES

Government rises petrol prices in wake of Saudi Arabia attack

18-09-2019 22:27 Four-percent increase in the price of petrol authorised, a month after Macri administration ordered them frozen for 90 days.

CRISIS IN VENEZUELA

Split emerges in Venezuela opposition over talks with Maduro

16-09-2019 17:52 A minority group of opposition parties in Venezuela agreed Monday to enter negotiations with President Nicolás Maduro's government, without the participation of US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaidó.

BLOOMBERG

The US$185-million bond payment that's overdue and stuck in Argentina

13-09-2019 15:55 Real-estate firm IRSA has the cash to cover a bond payment to foreign and local creditors. But then capital controls arrived – and everything got a lot more complicated...

ELECTION 2019

Alberto Fernández: Difficult times ahead due to 'decimated' economy

10-09-2019 07:48 "If I win, I know that the first years of my management will be difficult because I will receive a decimated economy," declares Frente de Todos presidential candidate.

BLOOMBERG

The US$15 billion of distressed provincial bonds that no-one is talking about

04-09-2019 09:13 Argentina's provinces were among the most prolific issuers when international capital markets reopened to Argentina. By offering interest rates in excess of 9%, they were able to lure yield-hungry investors to little known and sparsely populated corners of the country.

BLOOMBERG

Vulture funds circle Argentina, waiting for right time to buy

03-09-2019 17:06 Less than five years after settling with hold-out creditors from a record default in 2001, Argentina is again looking like a ripe target for funds that specialise in wringing value out of distressed assets.