POLITICS – ANALYSIS Mixed signals Today 06:43 It is clear that Milei and his team have the necessary tools to negotiate, when they want to. But doing so exposes them to caste-like behaviour, which is in turn exposed by their opponents. by Agustino Fontevecchia
EDITORIAL Nobody wins Today 06:37 Milei risks his popularity with insensitivity towards pensioners in the name of maintaining a fiscal surplus.
ANALYSING ARGENTINA Javier Milei in the real world of the Lilliputians Today 05:51 There may be nothing more “caste” than a group of deputies who vote one way one day and another way a few weeks later. But Milei knows that some elements of the caste are more useful than others, depending on which side of the political equation they fall. by Marcelo J. Garcia
Labour unrest Aviation worker strike affects more than 30,000 passengers Yesterday 13:59 A strike by pilots and crew demanding salary increases affected more than 30,000 passengers on Friday, according to Aerolineas Argentínas and unions.
POLITICS & CONGRESS Double blow for Milei: Senate passes university bill, blocks SIDE cash Yesterday 11:04 Milei’s cash for spy services blocked as both chambers of Congress block presidential decree for first time since 1994; Senate approves law providing salary increases and boosting budget for universities facing funding “emergency.”
MEDIA ‘Pauta cero'? – No state advertising is a lie that suits Milei Yesterday 10:00 President Javier Milei took office vowing not to dish out any state advertising to media companies, but the La Libertad Avanza leader has broken his promise. Some 130 billion pesos have been dished out, via state bodies and firms, to friendly outlets. by Franco Lindner
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Bukele to visit Argentina this month to meet with Milei 12-09-2024 16:51 El Salvador leader will visit his Argentine counterpart in Buenos Aires later this month.
BILATERAL SPAT Maduro asks Maradona’s spirit to haunt Milei 12-09-2024 14:36 "Diego, can I ask you something? Scare Milei by pulling him by his legs in his sleep,” jokes Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during "anti-fascist" Congress in Caracas.
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IMF official steps back from Argentina talks in feud with Milei 12-09-2024 13:34 IMF's top negotiator with Argentina delegates talks to colleagues after drawing the ire of President Javier Milei.
CONGRESS & POLITICS Clashes outside Congress as lawmakers back Milei veto of pensions hike 11-09-2024 23:31 President’s charming of lawmakers pays off as move to overturn his veto of pension bill fails; At least 12 people injured and four arrested in clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
CONGRESS & POLITICS Milei’s veto prevails as Congress pivots on key bill 11-09-2024 17:06 President Javier Milei’s veto of legislation that would have increased social security spending prevailed Wednesday after government lobbying efforts chipped away at the measure’s support.
ECONOMY – ANALYSIS Argentina posts slightly higher than expected August inflation 11-09-2024 17:01 Argentina’s monthly inflation rose slightly above expectations in August, representing a setback for President Javier Milei.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Inflation rises slightly to monthly 4.2%, dashing government hopes 11-09-2024 16:43 Prices have increased 94.8% in Argentina since the turn of the year, according to official data; Consumer price hikes at monthly 4.2% – slight rise on the preceding month and above government forecast of 4%.
CONGRESS & POLITICS Congress debates Milei veto of pensions increase 11-09-2024 13:37 Lawmakers in the lower house open debate on whether to overturn President Javier Milei's veto of a bill to increase pensions, amid heavy security due to a planned protest.
BUDGET Milei cuts Caputo, will present Budget bill to Congress 10-09-2024 18:19 President Javier Milei will present his administration's preliminary budget bill for 2025 at Congress personally on Sunday in a primetime speech.
ECONOMY – ANALYSIS Nine months in, the economic data alarming Milei's government 09-09-2024 22:25 President Javier Milei has closed the third quarter of his administration with Argentina’s economic activity in poor health. He has notched up some achievements – exchange rate stability and a slowdown in inflation, for example – but the loss of purchasing power and increased unemployment are worrying. by Gonzalo Martínez
ypf nationalisation case US says it may weigh in on Burford’s US$16-billion Argentina award 09-09-2024 21:08 United States government “actively considering” whether to file statement of interest with courts concerning Burford Capital’s efforts to collect a US$16-billion judgment against Argentina over nationalisation of state oil firm in 2012.
POLITICS Expert says Milei decree restricting access to information is 'unconstitutional' 09-09-2024 15:41 Lawyer Andrés Gil Domínguez says that Javier Milei’s administration is “anti-democratic” and that, after this modification, “trials for damages against journalists will begin.”
ECONOMY & POLITICS Argentines rush to deposit cash savings as part of Milei policy 09-09-2024 15:08 Dollar deposits have surged 40 percent to US$19.8 billion since he took office December 10, marking the highest levels since late 2019, according to Central Bank data.
FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY Argentina fears for its Embassy as Venezuela takes diplomatic jab at Brazil 09-09-2024 14:49 Argentina has warned Venezuela to respect diplomatic norms amid fears that Nicolás Maduro’s government may attempt to take over its Embassy in Caracas.
THE PRESIDENT'S PRESENTS Underwear and a 'Socialism kills' mug – the oddest gifts received by President Milei 09-09-2024 12:08 During his nine months in office, Argentina's President Javier Milei has made 19 trips abroad. He's also been gifted some strange items by the heads of state, business leaders and fans he's bumped into.
As I see it A most illiberal libertarian 07-09-2024 06:06 Is Milei a democrat? Probably not; it is increasingly clear that, by instinct, he is an authoritarian who does not take kindly to even mild criticism. by James Neilson
EDITORIAL Making public private 07-09-2024 05:55 Not the first contradiction with its self-image but a government calling itself libertarian and seeking to restrict access to public information is really starting to take the biscuit.
ANALYSING ARGENTINA Decisions Milei refuses to make 07-09-2024 05:52 Milei will eventually pay the political price for the decisions he fails to make today. His current popularity, buoyed by the perception that recession is the lesser evil compared to rampant inflation, won’t last forever. by Marcelo J. Garcia
POLITICS & ECONOMY Milei, CFK spat on social media over Argentina’s economic direction 06-09-2024 21:47 Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Javier Milei play out dispute on social media.
Mercosur trade bloc Uruguay applauds Argentina’s shift of stance on Mercosur 05-09-2024 13:15 Argentina indicates it is willing to shift its stance on Mercosur trade bloc negotiations, drawing praise from Uruguay.
BUSINESS & INVESTMENT Mercado Libre founder vows US$75-million investment as he hosts Milei 05-09-2024 11:41 President Javier Milei received by Mercado Libre founder Marcos Galperin as he visits offices of tech giant; Entrepreneur, who is gripped in a “cartelisation” battle with Argentina’s banks, says US$75-million investment will create 2,300 new jobs at logistics centre.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS 55% of Argentina’s population below poverty line, says UCA body 05-09-2024 08:53 Extreme poverty affected 17.5% of people in first half of 2024, reports private observatory from the Catholic University of Argentina (UCA).
ECONOMY & POLITICS Demonstration against veto of pension reform turns violent 04-09-2024 19:45 Police and security forces clash outside Congress with march in defence of retirees and pensioners; Groups of “pro-dialogue” lawmakers seek backing to overturn Milei veto in lower house in special session next Wednesday.
CUTBACKS AT STATE AIRLINE Adorni: 1,500 jobs cut at Aerolíneas Argentinas in six months 04-09-2024 17:33 Milei administration has reduced the size of flagship carrier’s payroll by 13%, says presidential spokesperson.
POLITICS Milei’s move to limit access to public information condemned 04-09-2024 16:52 Milei’s decree limiting access to public information sparks widespread repudiation in Argentina; Executive Branch introduces changes to current legislation including a redefinition of the concept of “public information” that offers greater “protection” for government officials and prevents publication of "working papers."
FOOTBALL & POLITICS Court blocks Milei’s privatisation plan for Argentina’s football clubs 04-09-2024 15:20 President’s decree forcing football governing body AFA to accept private capital into nation’s football clubs blocked by injunction until definitive ruling issued by courts.
POLITICS – ANALYSIS Behind the Milei-Jorge Macri deal – and the influence of Mauricio 04-09-2024 12:09 Meetings between President Javier Milei and PRO party chairman Mauricio Macri have served to calm tempers and put an administration which had become entangled back on track. by Pablo Varela
POLITICS & ECONOMY Javier Milei and Jorge Macri seal deal transferring 31 bus lines to City 04-09-2024 12:02 Mayor confirms that there will be no fare increase despite the loss of national subsidies after signing deal formalising transfer control of more than 30 bus lines to Buenos Aires City government.
FOOTBALL & POLITICS AFA calls elections with ‘Chiqui’ Tapia seeking third term 03-09-2024 17:38 Head of Argentine football’s governing body, fresh off the back of World Cup and Copa América triumphs, will seek a third term in October elections; Move comes as President Javier Milei seeks sweeping changes to structure of the national game.
FEATURE ‘Los chachos’: La Rioja launches currency to offset Milei’s shock therapy 03-09-2024 15:48 The remote province of La Rioja has created its own currency, the chacho, as an alternative to the peso to try to revive its moribund economy.
OFFICIAL FORTUNES Official fortunes: New minister’s statement shakes up Milei Cabinet rich list 03-09-2024 12:14 Argentina’s new Deregulation & State Transformation Minister Federico Sturzenegger’s sworn affidavit places him as the fourth-richest member of Javier Milei’s Cabinet. President now ranks seventh on a list topped by Foreign Minister Diana Mondino.
ECONOMY & FINANCE Argentina ships gold bars abroad to be financially certified 02-09-2024 20:30 Argentina’s Central Bank sent part of its gold reserves abroad in recent weeks to be validated for financial use.
PRESIDENTIAL ASSESSMENT Milei: ‘I am today the most relevant politician on Earth’ – bar Trump 02-09-2024 14:35 Javier Milei has declared himself to be one of the two most important politicians in the world today, naming the other as former US president Donald Trump.
POLITICS & CONGRESS President vetoes pension bill amid congressional tension 02-09-2024 13:45 President vetoes bill that would force Argentina’s government to boost pension payments, laying bare growing tensions between his La Libertad Avanza party and its allies in Congress.
POLITICS & CONGRESS Milei strikes down pension bill forcing government to boost payments 02-09-2024 13:16 President Javier Milei signs decree striking down pension reform bill passed by both houses of Congress; Government begins bid to persuade lawmakers not to overturn veto.
FIGHT AGAINST MONEY-LAUNDERING Argentina at risk of falling onto FATF money-laundering ‘grey list’ 31-08-2024 05:54 President Javier Milei wants to introduce a ‘blanqueo’ whitewash amnesty for undeclared assets. But his plan could see Argentina fall foul of the Financial Action Task Force money-laundering watchdog. RIGI multi-billion dollar investment incentive scheme is also under scrutiny. by Ariel Maciel
POLITICS – ANALYSIS Selling your soul to the devil? 31-08-2024 05:40 Macri and Milei are still feeling each other out, much like heavyweight boxers who dance around each other throwing light jabs for fear of being hit with an uppercut. All of which begs the question, who will stab the other one in the back first? by Agustino Fontevecchia
BEYOND THE HEADLINES When ugly ducklings are black swans 31-08-2024 05:27 How can the libertarian creed possibly have anything in common with the totalitarian model of a military dictatorship? by Michael Soltys
EDITORIAL Libertarian entrapment 31-08-2024 05:21 The paradox of a libertarian government revering the free market while unable to exit bureaucratic Kirchnerite capital controls has already drawn comment but the reduction of the PAIS tax exposes another contradiction.
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION Report: Milei questioned by AFIP for suspected irregular invoicing in 2015 29-08-2024 19:47 Investigation by 'La Nación' journalist Hugo Alconada Mon reveals head of state was investigated by AFIP tax agency in 2015; Probe related to economist’s time advising veteran Peronist then-Buenos Aires Province governor Daniel Scioli, obliging him to enter a five-year moratorium.
CRIME & SECURITY Fugitive Misiones ex-deputy accused of paedophilia captured by police 29-08-2024 13:20 Expelled Activar lawmaker Germán Kiczka, wanted by the courts on charges of paedophilia and child pornography, captured by police in Corrientes after six days on the run.
LA LIBERTAD AVANZA IN CRISIS Arrieta jumps ship after leaking bills to free dictatorship criminals 28-08-2024 23:56 Amid controversy within La Libertad Avanza over the visit of pro-government deputies to criminals convicted for crimes against humanity at Ezeiza Prison, national deputy leaks draft bills and decree that aim to force through their release.
ECONOMIC POLICY Caputo confirms that PAIS tax will be cut next week 28-08-2024 23:37 Goverrnment to lower 'Impuesto PAIS,' key import tariff, to cool inflation; Economy minister says cuts will begin for imports and freight cargo with reduction beginning next week.
POLITICS & POLICY Justice minister backed as critics slam gender diversity remarks 28-08-2024 15:10 Justice Minister Mariano Cúneo Libarona criticised after declaring that Milei administration “rejects the diversity of sexual identities that do not align with biology.”