ARGENTINA: The Bahía Blanca Storm & more – 13th Mar 2025

¡Buenos días from Greenway Parks! This is the Rorshok Argentina Update from the 13th of March twenty twenty-five. A quick summary of what's going down in Argentina.

We have to begin this episode with some tragic news. On Thursday the 6th, a catastrophic storm dropped a year’s worth of rain in just hours in the city of Bahía Blanca, in Buenos Aires, forcing hundreds to evacuate, flooding hospitals and submerging entire neighborhoods. The death toll from the devastating flood has climbed to sixteen and authorities are still working to locate two young girls who are missing.

As the floodwaters recede, the city faces immense destruction, with streets covered in mud, homes in ruins, prolonged power outages and schools badly damaged. Thousands remain displaced, and authorities fear more casualties. With power still out in many areas, security forces are patrolling to prevent looting.

The government has declared three days of national mourning for the victims and initially allocated ten billion pesos (which is about eight million dollars) toward rebuilding efforts. Then, Axel Kicillof, the Buenos Aires Governor, unveiled a 273 billion pesos (over 200 million dollars) relief package as he emphasized the state’s role in disaster response, subtly criticizing President Milei’s anti-government stance.

A couple days later, President Milei visited the city, facing heavy criticism for his delayed response, and pledged 200 million pesos instead (around 185 million dollars) for reconstruction. Meanwhile, military forces have joined rescue operations, while emergency shelters have been set up in army and naval bases. To bolster the strained healthcare system, the government has also dispatched ambulances, medical supplies and a mobile hospital.

Help is not only coming from the government. Organizations, football clubs, and charities have mobilized nationwide to provide aid, and continue to do so. A train packed with donations left Buenos Aires for Bahía Blanca on Tuesday the 11th. Volunteers filled eleven cars with food, clothing, mattresses and hygiene products.

If you’d like to help, check out the link in the show notes for details on where and how to donate.

Since we brought up Governor Kicillof, he suggested during the relief package announcement that Milei should direct part of Argentina’s new loan from the International Monetary Fund or IMF toward rebuilding Bahía Blanca instead of engaging in financial speculation. Here’s the context: On Tuesday the 11th, President Milei bypassed Congress and unilaterally approved a new IMF agreement through an emergency decree. The decree leaves critical details unclear—such as the loan amount, repayment terms, and economic policies— sparking alarm among opposition leaders.

Legal experts insist this move violates the constitution, as a twenty twenty-one law mandates congressional approval for any new IMF agreements. While Congress can debate and potentially overturn the decree, it remains valid unless both chambers vote to reject it. Milei defended his decision, pointing to Argentina’s dire financial circumstances.

In other news, Saturday the 8th marked International Women’s Day. Thousands of protesters packed the streets of Buenos Aires to condemn Milei’s policies, which many view as a regression for women’s rights. Demonstrators criticized budget cuts to gender violence programs and the dismantling of key institutions such as the Women, Gender, and Diversity Ministry. The protest also shed light on the persistent tragedy of femicide, with NGOs laying out shoes to honor the victims.

It wasn’t the only protest of the week. Clashes erupted in Buenos Aires on Wednesday the 12th as retirees protesting pension cuts were joined by football fans in a tense demonstration near Congress. Riot police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets, leading to 124 arrests and at least twenty injuries. Demonstrators accuse the government of using excessive force, while officials blame hooligans for the violence.

A shocking video of an officer pushing an elderly woman went viral, fueling outrage. Many pensioners say they can’t afford basic necessities under Milei’s austerity measures, and a proposed bonus does little to help. As night fell, spontaneous protests spread across the city.

Another major story dominating headlines involves the trial for the death of the football star Diego Maradona. This week, the trial began for seven medical professionals accused of alleged criminal negligence in his care during his final days.

The trial opened with a dramatic moment as prosecutor Patricio Ferrari presented a shocking photo of Maradona on his deathbed to the court. The image, showing his severely bloated abdomen, served as evidence to argue that the accused healthcare workers failed to provide adequate treatment, ultimately leading to his death. Ferrari asserted that anyone who didn't recognize the severity of his condition was lying, suggesting that the doctors could be responsible for a homicide with possible intent.

The trial is set to run until July, and the defendants could face prison sentences if convicted of causing Maradona’s death through negligence.

Speaking of health matters, the government has decided to close Argentina’s National Cancer Institute, citing inefficiencies and overlapping functions with other state bodies. The Health Ministry announced that the institute would be absorbed into the ministry itself to streamline operations and improve oversight.

Experts worry this move weakens cancer policies and could disrupt access to medications and treatments.

Also from the Health Ministry: a new report reveals that Argentina’s birth rate continues to decline, with twenty twenty-three registering a 7% drop in births compared to twenty twenty-two. This downward trend has been ongoing for nearly two decades and reflects global fertility declines, particularly among adolescents and women with lower education levels.

Experts see this shift as a chance to expand opportunities for women in education and employment, potentially boosting the nation’s human capital.

Sadly, poverty rates show no sign of improvement. A recent report from the Catholic University of Argentina reveals that multidimensional poverty in the country has risen from 39.8% in twenty twenty-three to 41.6% in twenty twenty-four. The report highlights the growing number of working poor, the expansion of informal and precarious jobs, and the increasing cost of public services, all of which are putting additional pressure on households.

In stark contrast to rising poverty rates, Argentina’s strong peso has fueled a boom in cross-border tourism to Chile, creating a windfall for retailers and airlines there. In twenty twenty-four, over two million Argentinians visited Chile, a 73% increase from the previous year. Major companies like Falabella and Latam Airlines reported sharp revenue growth, with Falabella’s retail sales rising by 21%. Tourists are heading to Chile to benefit from lower prices and looser restrictions on foreign spending.

Back to Argentina’s side of the border, the wine industry is flourishing, with exports nearing one billion dollars in twenty twenty-four—a 15% increase from twenty twenty-three. The country is now the world’s 11th-largest wine exporter by volume and ranks 9th in global consumption. Argentina’s viticulture covers eighteen provinces, boasting nearly 200,000 hectares of vineyards.

On that note about exports, Shell and Chevron have signed on to the Vaca Muerta Sur pipeline project, which aims to dramatically increase Argentina’s oil exports. The project, led by a consortium including YPF, Pan American Energy, Pampa Energía, Vista Energy, and Pluspetrol, involves constructing a 437-kilometer or 271-mile pipeline to link the Vaca Muerta oil fields with an export terminal in Punta Colorada, Río Negro. With an estimated three billion dollar investment, the pipeline is projected to generate up to fifteen billion dollars in annual export revenue, potentially reaching twenty billion with future expansions.

In an effort to tackle shadier businesses, the government enacted the new Anti-Mafia Law to crack down on organized crime, increasing penalties for gang members involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, extortion, and human trafficking. The law defines criminal organizations as groups of three or more people operating in a coordinated way over time. It also introduces stricter criteria for identifying gang activity and allows authorities to detain suspects for up to forty-eight hours with prosecutorial approval. Those who participate in or assist criminal organizations now face sentences of eight to twenty years.

To end on a lighter note, a recommendation for all the bird lovers out there: The Buenos Aires Herald published a guide to birdwatching in Buenos Aires, specifically at the Costanera Sur Ecological Reserve. The reserve, covering 350 hectares, houses over 2,000 species of plants and animals, including 350 bird species. It offers trails for walking, jogging, and cycling and is a peaceful escape from urban life.

Link in the show notes!

Aaand that’s it for this week! Thank you for joining us!

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¡Nos vemos la próxima semana!