Bolsonaro in Buenos Aires: Brazil leader says yes to Mercosur summit

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro confirmed Thursday that he will travel to Buenos Aires on March 26 to attend the Mercosur summit. It will be the first face-to-face meeting between Bolsonaro and Argentina’s President Alberto Fernández, with ties between the two leaders severely strained.  The Brazilian leader is a fierce critic of Peronism in general and … Read more

What we learned this week: February 27 to March 6

THE WEEK IN CORONAVIRUS There were 2,141,854 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 52,784 deaths at press time yesterday, as against 2,098,728 cases and 51,887 deaths the previous Friday. Last weekend there were protests against the “VIP vaccine” scandal which were not as massively attended as expected by the organisers, despite widespread public indignation, especially over … Read more

Fernández conditions IMF talks with lines from Instituto Patria

In his message to the Legislative Assembly last Monday, President Alberto Fernández opted for a tough tone and content against the International Monetary Fund, whom he held co-responsible for the colossal debt run up by the Maurico Macri presidency. The move kicks the chair out from under Economy Minister Martín Guzmán and the diplomatic strategy … Read more

Central Bank extends rules for companies to restructure dollar debt

Argentina has extended the deadline for companies to restructure debt in dollars due until December 31, according to an online statement from the Central Bank. The Central Bank of the Argentine Republic, known as BCRA, said Thursday that it will extend its deadline for companies to swap their dollar-denominated debt until December 31, according to a … Read more

What we learned this week: February 13 to 20

THE WEEK IN CORONAVIRUS There were 2,054,681 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 51,000 deaths at press time yesterday as against last week’s figures breaking through the barriers of two million cases (2,008,345) and 50,000 deaths (50,029), in both cases on the previous Friday (February 12). Ash Wednesday saw a major milestone within the pandemic with … Read more

Waiving IP rights will not boost vaccine production, says pharma group

Exempting Covid-19 vaccines from intellectual property rights will not speed up production or distribution of the jabs, a pharmaceutical industry association argued Tuesday. Proponents of doing away with IP rights say more companies could produce the vaccine, which could then be used in poorer nations that have yet to receive any jabs. But the head … Read more

IMF: Argentine team expected to hold loan talks in mid-March

Economy Minister Martín Guzmán is expected to visit Washington in mid-March to continue talks with the IMF on a new loan package, a Fund spokesperson said Thursday. The two sides have been in discussions for months to try to agree on a suite of reform measures that could unlock new funding to help Argentina recover … Read more

What we learn this week: February 20-27

THE WEEK IN CORONAVIRUS There were 2,098,728 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 51,887 deaths at press time yesterday as against 2,054,681 cases and exactly 51,000 deaths the previous Friday when Ginés González García resigned in disgrace from the Health Ministry over the “VIP vaccine” scandal. Carla Vizzotti was already up and running as the new … Read more