The Argentine ambassador to the United Kingdom, Alicia Castro, openly revealed her support for Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro as protests in the nation continued, while criticizing what she saw as a ferocious media attack carried out by opponents of the head of state.
The US embassy's business adviser in Buenos Aires, Kevin Sullivan, has welcomed negotiations between the Argentine government and Spanish corporation Repsol over the expropriation of YPF, as well as further talks with the Paris Club over the payment of outstanding debt commitments.
In a rally at the Buenos Aires province town of Florencio Varela, President Cristina Fernandez ratified Argentina’s “solidarity” with the Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro, as the fifth Mercosur full member continues to be caught up in a wave of violent protests that have claimed the lives of 6 so far.
Argentina’s balance of trade in January unveiled a small surplus of 35 million dollars, which represents a decrease of 88% comparing the same period in 2013. According to the government stats office, Indec, exports reached 5,3 billion dollars, a retraction of 8%, compared to the same month last year, while imports hit 5.1 billion, a downfall equal 4%, compared to January 2013.
The Argentine economy expanded 4.9% last year according to the official stats office Indec 'monthly economic growth indicator', EMAE, which is usually a good anticipation of the final figures. If confirmed Argentina will have grown uninterruptedly since the 2002 crisis, when the major default and melting of the economy.
A group of bondholders that entered the restructuring of Argentine debt in 2005 and 2010 have presented their own appeal before the United States Supreme Court, in the case involving the so-called holdout hedge funds. The petition, made public on Thursday, mirrors a similar appeal carried out on Tuesday by the Argentine government.
The current political crisis in Venezuela is rattling regional organizations, has two of the leading countries fearful of the crowds in the streets, while Latin American left wing populism believes there is a concerted right wing effort to destabilize the governments of Venezuela and Argentina, according to Argentine political analyst Rosendo Fraga.
A majority of Uruguayans, 55%, believe their country must support Argentina's sovereignty claims over the Falklands/Malvinas Islands but an overwhelming 80% also want closer trade links with the Islands and reject the ban on Falklands flagged vessels to operate from Montevideo or other Uruguayan ports. In both cases neutral opinions range 11% and 12%.
Argentine president Cristina Fernandez turned 61 on Wednesday and celebrated the event at El Calafate, “her place in the world” as she calls the Patagonian resort, where she arrived last Friday to party with family and friends.
Over half the Argentines want president Cristina Fernandez to remain in office and to finish her four year mandate and at the same time reject conspiracy theories which pretend to force the exit of the controversial leader.