Javier Milei

Milei government bribery scandal: What to know

Leaked audio recordings link Karina Milei and other top officials to illicit disabilities pharmaceutical purchases, sparking a corruption scandal. Public outrage is escalating as an investigation probes into allegations that President Javier Milei’s sister, Karina Milei, received substantial cash kickbacks from pharmaceutical sales to Argentina’s disability services agency. The corruption scandal has gained significant attention … Read more

Investors worry about graft scandals

“If the reforms are questioned for being pushed by a government accused of corruption, they will never be long-term,” concludes one of Argentina’s top businessmen. The apprehension regarding the potential collapse of extensive initiatives, which may be influenced by the “early denunciations” of corruption within the upper echelons of President Javier Milei’s national administration, is … Read more

Milei defends Argentina’s peso before midterms

President Javier Milei is intensifying his defense of Argentina’s currency in anticipation of another substantial local debt auction, exacerbating the strain on the banking system and the wider economy as he combats inflation. The government is conducting an auction on Wednesday for peso notes and dollar-linked securities, marking the second such event in a fortnight. … Read more

After a year, Milei’s RIGI investor incentive plan falls short

President Javier Milei’s flagship RIGI incentive scheme for large investors has only imported US$26 million in three projects in one year. Seven actions were approved, 11 pending, and China rejected. One year after receiving Congressional approval and being introduced to much acclaim, one of President Javier Milei’s signature initiatives, the Régimen de Incentivos para Grandes Inversiones incentive scheme for major investments – commonly referred to as RIGI – has yet to gain traction. In the last year, a total of seven initiatives … Read more

Mercosur

Mercosur and Canada to resume talks over free-trade agreement

The Mercosur regional trade bloc and Canada are set to resume negotiations regarding a free-trade agreement, as confirmed by Brazil on Monday, amid escalating tensions surrounding US tariffs that have unsettled global commerce. Brasília, currently presiding over Mercosur, has announced that chief negotiators from Canada and the bloc, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and … Read more

Leaked recordings erode government trust

According to a recent report by Torcuato Di Tella University, public trust in the government fell by nearly 14% in August compared to July. This marks the lowest point since President Milei assumed office. The Government Trust Index survey was conducted in the first two weeks of August, with its release following a week after … Read more

Argentine country risk rises to 829 after disability bribery scandal

Argentine markets exhibited volatility this week, influenced by a significant bribery scandal impacting the Milei administration and a newly introduced monetary policy that has been characterized by many as precarious. The EMBI, a gauge of country risk that assesses the probability of debt default, rose to 829 basis points on Tuesday — marking its peak … Read more

As peso falls, Argentina scrutinizes repo debts

Argentine authorities audit investor behavior in repo loans, short-term financial securities with record-high interest rates due to bank liquidity shortages. The Central Bank and local regulator CNV have sought assistance in analyzing the real-time data they receive daily from the country’s two primary exchanges, BYMA and A3, regarding the short-term instruments referred to locally as … Read more

Milei fights bribes as bonds and peso fall

In response to the bribery allegations involving a close associate, President Javier Milei’s senior officials are taking measures to mitigate the repercussions, which are impacting Argentina’s dollar bonds. This situation is exacerbated by a liquidity crisis that has led to a significant increase in interest rates. Argentina’s dollar bonds are being weighed down by bribery … Read more

The two pockets of Argentina

A “dollarized” Argentina is doing well and a “pesofied” Argentina is struggling. Once the enthusiasm about inflation reduction subsides, Argentines will measure the Javier Milei administration depending on where in the social food chain they land. This will be measured by a simple variable: their standards of living vis-à-vis the past and their fellow countrymen. While it … Read more