ARGENTINA: Malvina’s Speech & more – 4th Apr 2024

¡Buenos días from Greenway Parks! This is the Rorshok Argentina Update from the 4th of April twenty twenty-four. A quick summary of what's going down in Argentina.

Last weekend focused on Argentina's Malvinas Veterans and Fallen Soldiers Day. The 2nd of April is a national holiday commemorating the nineteen eight-two Malvinas conflict and honoring the people who went to battle against the UK. President Milei and Vice President Villarruel attended a ceremony at the Cenotaph of the Malvinas Fallen Soldiers. The VP, daughter of a former combatant, appeared visibly moved. The Buenos Aires Cathedral held a special service.

In a politically charged speech commemorating the conflict's 42nd anniversary, President Milei reaffirmed Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Malvinas Islands, promising a clear roadmap to return them to Argentine hands. Milei criticized past administrations for failing to make progress on the issue. While acknowledging the importance of political leadership, he stressed the fundamental role of the Armed Forces and urged a renewed respect for their contribution.

Despite Milei's firm stance, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron remained resolute on sovereignty, stating it won't be up for debate as long as the territory aligns with the UK. Analyst James Grainger emphasized that the UK wants to strengthen its relationship with Argentina for economic gains, noting Milei's potential as a regional ally.

During his electoral campaign, Milei expressed admiration for former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, involved in the Malvinas War, and called for respect for the Malvina’s islanders' self-determination.

Milei didn’t mention this again after becoming president. But Governor Axel Kicillof doesn’t forget. During his own speech, Kicillof challenged President Milei's homage to Margaret Thatcher. He said that honoring her clashes with defending Argentina's interests. The Governor condemned Thatcher's actions during the conflict, highlighting the need for consistent sovereignty efforts beyond symbolic gestures.

On a related note, the quarrel now moves to the environmental sector. A company wants to explore the islands for gold. The Argentine government and environmental activists condemn the move, citing violations of UN resolutions. Environmentalists warn of irreversible damage, stating that the islands are a wildlife haven, with penguins, seals, and special bogs that soak up carbon dioxide. The company says they're environmentally conscious and will use the latest technology to avoid damage. No matter how much anger this has caused, Argentina stresses they want to settle the issue peacefully.

Moving onto economics… President Milei set a timeline for one of his boldest economic proposals: dollarization. In a recent interview, he revealed that dollarizing the economy might not happen before next year's midterm elections, but it’s still a priority. He advocates for a free competition of currencies, and acknowledges the US dollar's dominance. He aims to reform the financial system and eventually close the Central Bank to avoid political corruption. Despite criticism and diplomatic tensions, he remains steadfast in his economic vision for Argentina.

A big win for Argentina! A US judge threw out lawsuits by hedge funds who argued Argentina owed them billions. They accused Argentina of manipulating GDP calculations to evade additional payments linked to economic growth. The judge said the contracts required the funds to jump through specific hoops before suing, which they failed to do. This is a major victory for Argentina as they fight a similar case in London for billions of dollars.

What is not a win is President Milei's budget cuts, which are putting the future of nuclear energy in Argentina in jeopardy. The National Commission of Atomic Energy is feeling the pinch, putting a big question mark on the future of several key projects. What’s at risk? First, the construction of Argentina's very first domestically designed reactor is almost over, and could be a global leader in clean energy. But without cash, it might never see the light of day. Not only that, but vital medical services are on the chopping block too. One of the reactors is crucial in cancer diagnosis and treatment. With funding cuts, these critical procedures could become harder to access.

Experts are worried, urging the government to reconsider its short-sighted measures before it's too late. Instead of saving money, they might be throwing away a chance at technological advancement and energy independence.

Argentina might be inspecting the Chinese space base in the Neuquén province. Why the sudden interest? Well, US officials raised concerns about its activities, and the US Southern Command is visiting this week. The base, built between twenty fourteen and twenty seventeen, has sparked suspicion because of its large antenna and potential military use. Argentina says the base is for peaceful exploration, but, most importantly, the country wants to get the promised 10% cut of the space action in the fifty-year lease agreement. Looks like Argentina got caught in the middle of the two world powers.

Remember last week’s quarrel between Colombia’s president Petro and Milei? Well, Diana Mondino, Argentina's Foreign Minister, came to the rescue. She assures that relations with Colombia are intact despite a flame war between both presidents. Last week, Milei called Colombia's Petro a terrorist murderer referencing Petro's past guerrilla membership. Petro then expelled Argentina’s diplomats from Colombia.

Moving on, Mario Russo, the Minister of Health, broke the silence and spoke about the dengue outbreak. Recall that the dengue virus is transmitted by mosquito bites. Many dengue cases have resulted in deaths. While a vaccine exists for the disease, Russo made it clear that the vaccine is not useful in mitigating the disease outbreak and that there is a bottleneck. He focused on addressing the actions the ministry will take to deal with the mosquito and the shortage of repellent to prevent bites.

According to the government, the state’s channel TV Pública might go dark entirely because there’s no money. This has led to most shows being canceled. Only two daily newscasts remain, and ten journalists lost their contracts.

Workers say this is more than just budget cuts. They say new hires are replacing those who lost contracts, suggesting a political motive behind the cuts. This comes after the government shut down the public news agency Télam and censored content critical of the president. TV Pública staff are fighting back, streaming their own news show and demanding job security. Viewers might face a black screen where their favorite programs used to be.

Buenos Aires simmers as state workers keep protesting mass layoffs. Security forces blocked fired employees from workplaces, fueling outrage over dismissals some learned about via WhatsApp. Unions vow legal action, accusing the government of trampling worker rights. The government, citing financial burdens, defends the layoffs and security presence.

The situation remains tense. The state workers' union announced a national strike against the layoffs. The Union criticized the deployment of police and highlighted workers' economic struggles.

Things in the education sector are also getting heated. The University of Buenos Aires called for a rally in defense of education and science. On Thursday the 4th of April, teachers from all levels went on strike for twenty-four hours demanding salary adjustments. The Education Union emphasized the need for urgent action to secure funding for universities and research.

On a happier note, Buenos Aires is packed with exciting events! this weekend

Argentina's first-ever Red Bull Dance Your Style throwdown is happening the 6th of April at Plaza República Federativa de Brasil. It's a free event where all kinds of street dancers battle it out in one-versus-one showdowns. The music's a surprise, so dancers have to improvise their moves to anything from house to twerk!

Beatles fans, prepare for a unique experience! "The Beatles Symphonic Fantasy" hits Estadio Luna Park also on the 6th of April. This live show features new symphonic arrangements of classics by conductor Damián Mahler, along with a full orchestra and talented vocalists. Stunning lights and visuals complete the immersive experience. Check out the link in the show notes to grab your ticket!

And that’s it for this week! Thanks for joining us!

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¡Nos vemos la próxima semana!