News of argentina

Officials close ranks behind Pettovello as pressure builds

Yesterday 20:51 Leading figures in government close ranks behind embattled Human Capital Minister Sandra Pettovello; President Milei backs ‘best minister in history’ as foodstuffs scandal rumbles on.

WOMEN'S RIGHTS

Milei government shutters office dedicated to prevention of gender violence

Yesterday 17:43 Three days after annual Ni Una Menos march, head of programme dedicated to protection against gender violence announces she is stepping as President Milei moves to shutter department.

President Javier Milei departs Argentina on a flight bound for the United States in April 2024.

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

President Milei trims dates off European tour, will skip G7 summit in Italy

Yesterday 16:21 President Javier Milei cancels his visit to Italy for upcoming G7 summit and decides to shorten planned trip to Europe. Meetings with Lula and Macron now off the table, along with Ukraine summit.

Argentina's President Javier Milei gives a speech at the 'Cena de la Libertad,' organised by the Fundación Libertad in Buenos Aires on April 24, 2024.

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

Milei cancels G7, Macron visits as reforms face hurdles at home

Yesterday 16:06 President cancels trip to G7 summit and backs out of scheduled meeting with France’s Emmanuel Macron.

Julie Kozack, IMF spokesperson, comments on negotiations with Argentina.

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

IMF urges increased assistance for Argentina’s poorest

Yesterday 15:37 Fund’s chief spokeswoman Julie Kozack warns that Milei’s economic adjustment “should not fall disproportionately on working families.”

EXPIRED FOOD SCANDAL

Expired food scandal: a chronology of hunger which the government sought to silence

Yesterday 14:41 Human Capital Ministry’s missteps over more than millions of kilos of food held back at warehouses has exploded into scandal. Audits galore, dismissals, denunciations and an official communiqué overtaken by the facts.

Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez gives a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha on December 17, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France.

OLYMPIC GAMES

Argentina's Martínez ready 'to fight' Aston Villa to play in Olympics

Yesterday 12:40 "I always put Argentina first, and if I have to fight with my club then I will do so," 'Dibu' Martínez says in an interview.

A Palestinian boy looks at a pool of blood at a UN-school housing displaced people that was hit during Israeli bombardment in Nuseirat, in the central Gaza Strip, on June 6, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group.

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

Milei signs Biden’s statement calling for Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal

Yesterday 12:20 President Javier Milei’s government co-signs US-led statement urging Hamas to accept a ceasefire deal and Israel to accept compromises in a bid to stop the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Power lines in the Villa Urquiza neighbourhood of Buenos Aires.

UTILITIES & SUBSIDIES

Milei begins to slash energy subsidies for low-income sectors

Yesterday 11:59 Low-income homes will see the energy cost of their utility bills double on average in June, while middle class families could see prices rise 155%.

INTERVIEW

Ex-Energy and Mining secretary Flavia Royón: 'RIGI is necessary’

Yesterday 00:50 Former Energy & Mining secretary in Alberto Fernández and Javier Milei governments says RIGI investment incentive scheme is “necessary to develop LNG, hydrogen and mining projects.”

Congress & Politics

Senate poses fresh challenge to Milei’s reform bills

05-06-2024 23:26 Opposition senators are pulling together the votes to reject bids to reintroduce income taxes, expand powers and privatise state-owned companies.

POLITICAL INTERVENTION?

Pope Francis warns against imposing debt burden on ordinary people

05-06-2024 16:46 Argentine pontiff, speaking before an audience that included former economy minister Martín Guzmán, says “no government can demand its people suffer deprivations incompatible with human dignity.”

Lower House Speaker Martín Menem looks out across the Chamber of Deputies during a congressional session.

CONGRESS & POLITICS

Milei vows veto as deputies approve new pension formula

05-06-2024 10:20 Deputies rebel against government, voting 160-72 in favour of new formula to update pensions; President immediately vows to strike down bill should it clear Senate.

POLITICS

Menem signs resolution for 80% hike in expenses for national deputies

04-06-2024 17:35 To be paid in three instalments, the hike will lift sitting lawmakers' salaries to more than 2.2 million pesos a month.

A well-known libertarian activist and Twitter influencer, Juan Pablo Carreira (better known as his screen name 'Juan Doe') has formally been appointed as the government's National Digital Communications Director.

POLITICS

Milei names X user ‘Juan Doe’ as his digital communications director

04-06-2024 17:05 The position of Juan Pablo Carreira, a renowned libertarian activist, was finalised through a decree signed by the President and Cabinet chief Guillermo Francos.

A cardboard collector pulls his cart in Buenos Aires, on June 4, 2024

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Poverty climbed to 55.5% in first quarter, according to UCA

04-06-2024 16:33 Data obtained in new study highlights chilling growth in poverty levels – nearly 25 million people in urban areas nationwide are now considered to be poor.

Lionel Scallion holds the World Cup 2022 trophy.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Scaloni says he'll remain in charge of Argentina 'as long as AFA wants me'

04-06-2024 13:04 Argentina's World Cup winning coach says he'll remain in charge of the national side for as long as 'Chiqui' Tapia wants him to stay.

Javier Milei at a campaign rally in Buenos Aires on June 7, 2023.

THIRST FOR CURRENCY

Argentines suddenly need pesos after Milei pitched dollarisation

04-06-2024 08:48 More people in Argentina are now selling some of their dollar savings for pesos to make ends meet than those buying greenbacks – the abrupt revival of demand is an unexpected consequence of President Milei's shock-therapy policies.

POLITICS

Adorni says Pettovello has Milei government’s ‘full backing’

03-06-2024 17:09 “We fully back minister Sandra Pettovello,” declares presidential spokesperson.

LITERATURE & FILM

Writer and filmmaker Edgardo Cozarinsky dies at 85

03-06-2024 16:49 Edgardo Cozarinsky dies aged 85 after battle with cancer. Writer and filmmaker produced many books and films during his lengthy career and even acted in over 30 pictures.

Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos gives a press conference.

POLITICS

Guillermo Francos: 'Ley de Bases' bill may be approved in July

03-06-2024 16:25 Cabinet chief admits that the initial version of law was too broad and “maybe that’s what led to the failed attempt.”

Alberto Fernández congratulates Claudia Sheinbaum.

mexico election 2024

Milei silent as Alberto, Cristina congratulate Mexico’s next president

03-06-2024 12:40 At the time of writing, Argentina’s current President Javier Milei had yet to offer his congratulations to the new president-elect in Mexico.

Salt crystals at the Tres Quebradas salt flat at Liex's 3Q lithium mine project near Fiambala, Catamarca Province, Argentina, on Sunday, December 5, 2021.

Lithium in Argentina

China’s CNGR looks to snap up more lithium projects in Argentina

03-06-2024 10:56 Chinese battery-component maker looking to buy major stakes in Argentina brine deposits to extend its foray into the lithium-rich region.

EL SALVADOR

El Salvador's Bukele sworn-in for second term as Milei watches on

01-06-2024 17:42 El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele sworn in for a second term with Argentina's Javier Milei among the guests in attendance.

Santiago Caputo, Javier Milei and Karina Milei.

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

Milei’s punctuated pragmatism and Karina, the hidden genius

01-06-2024 05:59 Karina Milei has emerged as a sort of Machivellian genius, pulling the strings of the government and the political ecosystem with the apparent dexterity of a pro.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

As I see it

The greatest show on earth

01-06-2024 05:56 Milei is playing the leading part in an imaginative cosmic drama he himself dreamed up in which, backed by heavenly forces, he battles the leftist foes of everything that is good.

by James Neilson

EDITORIAL

Risky Investment Guarantee Inconsistencies

01-06-2024 05:45 The primacy of the fiscal over the economic causes problems elsewhere.

Behind the headlines

When the essential is invisible

01-06-2024 05:05 In Argentina, the urgent is forever crowding out the important.

by Michael Soltys

ANALYSING ARGENTINA

What if Milei has no clothes on?

01-06-2024 05:03 Milei’s economic programme does not have the luxury of letting the flame of hope die out.

by Marcelo J. Garcia

CRIME & SECURITY

A year on from Cecilia Strzyzowski femicide: How the case is progressing

31-05-2024 17:37 The case was taken to court in late April. Her partner César Sena has been accused as the main perpetrator of the crime and his parents, Emerenciano Sena and Marcela Acuña, as direct participants.

POLITICS

Javier Milei’s duality: a global leader disconnected from local reality

31-05-2024 17:16 While Milei sees himself waging epic battles against abstract enemies, Argentina’s real problems – like inflation, poverty and unemployment – require practical and effective solutions.

by Eduardo Reina

FOOTBALL

New threats against Di María amid rumoured return to Rosario

31-05-2024 16:49 There have been two incidents aimed at the football star.

Football in Argentina

Football isn’t always a young man’s game

31-05-2024 13:27 Racing Club’s Gustavo Costas is overseeing a fine run of form at his beloved boyhood club and his formula is working like a charm.

by Dan Edwards

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

Stories that caught our eye: May 24 to 31

31-05-2024 13:23 A selection of the stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.

The Tupungato volcano behind vineyards during harvest season in the Luján de Cuyo district of Mendoza Province, Argentina.

MINING

Mendoza makes a play for copper in Argentina mining revival

31-05-2024 11:50 Mendoza Province is moving to spur exploration of its copper deposits long shunned by prospectors due to restrictions and red tape.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Madres de Plaza de Mayo rights campaigner Nora Cortiñas dead at 94

30-05-2024 21:24 Veteran leader of Madres de Plaza de Mayo–Línea Fundadora, who defied Argentina's 1976-1983 military dictatorship after her son Gustavo was disappeared, passes away at hospital after recent operation.

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

Milei and Lula to meet face-to-face for the first time at G7 summit

30-05-2024 18:55 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is bringing together an explosive cast of characters for her G7 summit.

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

Milei to meet Macron in Paris during packed European tour

30-05-2024 17:44 Argentine leader's packed European tour in mid-June will also include a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Argentina's presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni speaks during a press conference at Casa Rosada presidential palace in Buenos Aires on December 11, 2023.

RECESSION

Government says recession has hit rock bottom, economy starting to recover

30-05-2024 17:34 Presidential Spokesperson Manuel Adorni says drop in economic activity is the cost of having more honest prices.

Interior Minister Guillermo Francos addresses a Senate committee as he takes questions about the ‘Ley de Bases’ bill.

CONGRESS & POLITICS

Milei’s flagship reforms head for Senate vote

30-05-2024 16:50 Vice-President Victoria Villarruel and new Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos secure signatures, allowing 'Ley de Bases' to clear committee stage in Senate.

Diego Maradona poses with the 1986 World Cup 'Golden Ball' trophy at the Lido in Paris on November 13, 1986.

FOOTBALL

Maradona's heirs fail to block 1986 World Cup 'Golden Ball' trophy sale

30-05-2024 15:19 Maradona's heirs lose legal bid to block the sale of the Argentine football legend's 'Golden Ball' trophy from the 1986 Mexico World Cup.

Victoria Villarruel and Guillermo Francos meet with senators.

CONGRESS & POLITICS

Argentina bonds climb as Milei deregulation plan moves forward

30-05-2024 14:02 Members of Senate general, budget and constitutional committees approve sending the so-called 'omnibus' bill to all senators.

Karina Milei and Guillermo Francos, right, attend a lower house debate on the government’s so-called 'omnibus' bill in Buenos Aires on April 30.

Congress & Politics

Milei’s sweeping deregulation plan passes first Senate hurdle

30-05-2024 09:53 Lawmakers reach consensus with 'Ley de Bases' bill moving to a Senate floor vote, which by law is at least a week away.

COURTS

Justice system freezes assets of picket leader Eduardo Belliboni

30-05-2024 09:24 Assets of Polo Obrero leader Eduardo Belliboni, who is under investigation for alleged welfare fraud and embezzlement, frozen by federal judge.

DEATH OF DIEGO MARADONA

Trial of Maradona’s medical team postponed until October

29-05-2024 21:32 Court postpones trial into 2020 death of Diego Armando Maradona, originally scheduled for next week, until October 1.

Argentina's Federal Intelligence Agency, or AFI.

INTELLIGENCE SERVICES

Sergio Neiffert the favourite to be named next AFI chief

29-05-2024 16:58 President Javier Milei set to name Sergio Dario Neiffert as head of Argentina’s intelligence services after exit of Silvestre Sívori.

CORRUPTION & THE COURTS

Oil Combustibles case: Supreme Court overturns acquittal of López, De Souza

29-05-2024 14:47 Justices on the nation's highest tribunal unanimously decide to accept a challenge presented by the national Attorney-General, overturning a decision by the Federal Criminal Cassation Court to acquit businessmen.

The Casa Rosada in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

Francos switch is a move to decentralise Cabinet chief decision-making

29-05-2024 13:39 Additional changes coming for state agencies, secretariats and state-run companies, government sources confirm; Cabinet chief portfolio concentrates “too much” and powers will be delegated to other portfolios.

MILEI IN AMERICA

Milei pitches Argentina to Silicon Valley after setbacks at home

29-05-2024 13:27 Meetings with Tim Cook, Sundar Pichai and Mark Zuckerberg during a 36-hour window would be on a wish list for almost any world leader. But they’re particularly welcome for Javier Milei.

Clothes with price tags are seen in a window shop in Buenos Aires on June 12, 2023.

SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES

Recession hits SMEs hardest: 7 out of 10 report falling consumption

29-05-2024 13:14 Argentina’s deepening recession is hitting the nation’s small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs or PyMEs) the hardest, according to a new report.

Fabricaciones Militares Sociedad del Estado (FMSE), the munitions manufacturer and complex that is dependent on the Defence Ministry, has protagonised scandals and corruption cases across the political spectrum.

STATE FIRM IN SPOTLIGHT

Vested interests stall Milei’s plan for Fabricaciones Militares state munitions plant

29-05-2024 12:15 Milei government offers voluntary retirements as it defines what to do with a massive state firm owning thousands of hectares. Numbers in the red for state-run arms manufacturer, but its system of inter-administrative direct contracting also makes it attractive.

ENERGY & GAS

Natural gas crunch as worst winter since 1980 looms

29-05-2024 11:34 Government scrambles to secure supplies of fuel as lower-than-expected temperatures boosts demand for home heating.

President Javier Milei meets with Sam Altman in San Francisco.

MILEI IN AMERICA

Milei meets OpenAI boss, chats with Trudeau before speech at Stanford

29-05-2024 11:03 Javier Milei met with the creator of ChatGTP, Sam Altman, and discussed Artificial Intelligence in San Francisco on Tuesday; President also speaks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Police officers and protesters in Misiones Province.

PROTESTS IN POSADAS

Police protest lifted after pay deal, two weeks of tension in Misiones ends

29-05-2024 10:40 After 13 days of tension and demonstrations in Posadas, Misiones police seal pay deal with provincial government and lift protest.

POLITICS: PROFILE

Guillermo Francos: Political negotiator respected by opposition

28-05-2024 21:27 President Milei’s new Cabinet chief is a lawyer who co-founded the party Acción por la República. He will push for “dialogue” after replacing Nicolás Posse.

INTELLIGENCE SERVICES

Intelligence shake-up: AFI chief Silvestre Sívori resigns after Posse's departure

28-05-2024 17:14 President Javier Milei accepts resignation of Silvestre Sívori, head of Federal Intelligence Agency, who steps down amid Nicolás Posse’s departure as Cabinet chief.

Victoria Villarruel presides over a Senate session.

POLITICS

'Ley de Bases': Meeting between Villarruel, Francos and blocs open to dialogue

28-05-2024 16:24 Vice-President Victoria Villarruel and new Cabinet chief Guillermo Francos are meeting with Senate blocs open to dialogue as talks over President Milei's sweeping reform package ramp up.

POLITICS

Milei sends documents supporting nominees for Supreme Court vacancies

28-05-2024 15:54 President sends two three-page files to Senate kickstarting nominations for candidacies of Ariel Lijo and Manuel José García Mansilla for seats on nation’s highest tribunal.

POLITICS

Milei tinkers with Cabinet in bid to prioritise ‘political dialogue’

28-05-2024 15:38 New Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos vowed Tuesday to bring his political expertise to bear on negotiations for economic reform, conceding that diplomacy is not President Javier Milei's forte.

Axel Kicillof, Buenos Aires Province Governor.

Bloomberg

Bondholders in Buenos Aires Province question Milei’s resolve

28-05-2024 14:46 Bondholders in Buenos Aires Province are speculating that even Javier Milei isn’t ruthless enough to let the nation’s richest region go bankrupt.

Former Central Bank governor Federico Sturzenegger visits the Casa Rosada to attend a meeting led by President Javier Milei on the latter's second day in office.

POLITICS

Sturzenegger set to join government, confirms new Cabinet chief

28-05-2024 13:08 President Javier Milei will appoint former Central Bank governor Federico Sturzenegger to his Cabinet in the coming days, confirms new Cabinet Chief Guillermo Francos.

Sam Altman (Open AI), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Sundar Pichai (Google), Tim Cook (Apple).

DATES IN SILICON VALLEY

Milei to meet with CEOs of Meta, Google, Apple, OpenAI

28-05-2024 11:36 Javier Milei will meet with “four of the 10 most important businessmen in the world” during his trip to the United States, according to Presidential Spokesperson Manuel Adorni.

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Pope Francis apologises for use of gay slur

28-05-2024 11:14 Pope Francis issues apology for use of a gay slur in a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops last week.

NATIONAL WOMEN’S TEAM

‘Injustice’: Three players quit Argentina’s women’s team over conditions

28-05-2024 10:20 Three footballers from Argentina's national women's team say they will refuse to play in two upcoming friendly matches to express dissatisfaction at the treatment they receive while representing their country.

Cabinet Chief Nicolás Posse appears before the Senate.

POLITICS

Milei fires Cabinet chief as bill stalls in Congress

27-05-2024 22:33 Javier Milei accepts Nicolás Posse’s resignation and is replacing him with Interior Minister Guillermo Francos, government says in a statement.

Cabinet Chief Nicolás Posse leaves the Casa Rosada.

Cabinet reshuffle

Milei changes Cabinet chief as Nicolás Posse departs

27-05-2024 21:47 Interior Minister Guillermo Francos will succeed Nicolás Posse as Argentina’s new Cabinet chief; Transition will take place this week, with further changes expected.

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

Milei US-bound to meet tech bosses

27-05-2024 18:55 President Javier Milei heads for the United States Monday for the fourth time since taking office in December.

The Pope announced the appointment of 21 new cardinals, among them three Argentines.

argentine pontiff

Italian media claims Pope Francis used gay slur in meeting with bishops

27-05-2024 18:28 Pope Francis used an offensive gay slang word during a meeting with Italian bishops, two media outlets reported on Monday.

SAN JUAN PROVINCE

Body found in search for German tourist who went missing in western Argentina

27-05-2024 15:39 Nineteen-year-old Julia Horn was last seen on May 23 when she was out trekking at Cerro Tres Marías in San Juan; Provincial authorities confirm discovery of body but are awaiting confirmation from autopsy, family.

A demonstrator calls for greater food aid programmes at a demonstration in Buenos Aires.

POVERTY

Court orders Milei government to distribute held-up food aid

27-05-2024 15:14 Court orders Argentina's government to release five tons of food meant for the poor that is being held in storage.