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Southern Cone

Southern Cone Briefing — 25/03/26

This week: Argentina accelerates foreign land ownership liberalization amid property rights push · US corporations eye Argentina's Hidrovia concession amid infrastructure privatization · Milei administration faces governance crisis as Adorni scandal deepens

economy  La Nación

Argentina accelerates foreign land ownership liberalization amid property rights push

Cabinet chief Adorni announced planned legislation to modify Argentina's 2011 land law, lifting the 15% foreign ownership cap through expanded reforms. The proposal seeks to strengthen private property rights and open agricultural land sales.

WHY IT MATTERS Signals major shift in agricultural investment policy that could attract significant foreign capital while potentially triggering nationalist political backlash.

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economy  La Nación

US corporations eye Argentina's Hidrovia concession amid infrastructure privatization

US companies, backed by the Development Finance Corporation, are analyzing participation in Argentina's Hidrovia concession, the nation's primary logistics corridor. The move represents significant foreign investment interest in Milei government's largest infrastructure tender.

WHY IT MATTERS Demonstrates growing international confidence in Argentina's privatization agenda while positioning US capital to control critical agricultural export infrastructure.

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politics  La Nación

Milei administration faces governance crisis as Adorni scandal deepens

Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni held a tense press conference to address controversies surrounding his travels and declared assets, adopting a confrontational stance with journalists while providing minimal clarification. Multiple ministers attended to show institutional support amid questions over travel expenses and property acquisitions.

WHY IT MATTERS Tests Milei's anti-corruption credentials and political resilience as core administration figures face transparency challenges that could undermine reform agenda credibility.

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economy  La Nación

Argentina's wage contraction persists as inflation outpaces salary growth

Formal sector salaries in Argentina increased 2% in January 2025 while inflation rose 2.9%, continuing a six-month trend of real wage losses. Private sector wages grew 2.1% and public sector 1.8%, both outpaced by price increases reported by INDEC.

WHY IT MATTERS Sustained purchasing power erosion threatens Milei's political support base and could complicate fiscal adjustment sustainability amid ongoing economic stabilization efforts.

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environment  La Nación

Mass public mobilization challenges Argentina's glacier law deregulation

Over 102,000 citizens registered for public hearing opposing government-backed reforms to weaken Argentina's landmark 2010 Glacier Protection Law. The unprecedented participation demonstrates major public opposition to environmental deregulation efforts.

WHY IT MATTERS Reveals significant political constraint on Milei's deregulation agenda from environmental activism, potentially forcing government to moderate resource extraction policies.

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politics  La Nación

Supreme Court proposes judicial reform to limit political influence

Argentina's Supreme Court proposed reforms to federal and national judge selection procedures through the Judicial Council, aimed at limiting political discretion in candidate evaluation. Only Justices Rosenkrantz and Lorenzetti signed the proposal.

WHY IT MATTERS Institutional attempt to insulate judiciary from political pressure could reshape power dynamics between branches while facing resistance from legislative and executive authorities.

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economy  La Nación

Argentina's consumption decline accelerates across retail sectors

Mass consumption in Argentina declined 3.4% year-over-year in February, marking the second consecutive monthly decline, with broad-based contraction across retail channels except e-commerce. Supermarket sales fell 5.9%, independent retailers 3.8%, and wholesale 3.6% compared to February 2025.

WHY IT MATTERS Deepening demand contraction signals intensifying economic adjustment pain that could test political sustainability of Milei's stabilization program.

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security  La Nación

Prison-based fraud ring targets Argentine judiciary in sophisticated scheme

An organized crime group operated an elaborate phone fraud scheme from prison targeting judges, including San Isidro Court of Appeals Judge Juan Eduardo Stepaniuc, using impersonation tactics to attempt financial crimes. The ring successfully targeted at least two judicial officials with coordinated scams.

WHY IT MATTERS Exposes serious vulnerabilities in Argentina's judicial security and prison system oversight, potentially compromising institutional integrity and case proceedings.

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