Letter from Buenos Aires - no 2.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for your comments last week on my first letter from Buenos Aires. We may not always get it right but, as agents, Xiomara and I do try to focus in on the issues that could impact the world stage.

Let’s start with one that probably won’t. This week, ahead of the 2025 mid-term elections, Javier Milei launched his political party ‘La Libertad Avanza’. He was supported by his beautiful Presidential secretary, esoteric younger sister Karina. Head of Cabinet Guillermo Francos, Economy Minister Luis Toto Caputo, Security Minister Patricia Bullrich and Defence Minister Luis Petri were also there, as well as the Speaker of the Lower House, Martín Menem. Xiomara remarked on the absence of VP Victoria Villarruelle, no doubt still smarting from her exclusion last week from the Malvinas rapprochement between Diana and David. Might Victoria be on the way out?

Xiomara and I met for a coffee in Plaza Dorrego, then walked the half mile of Defensa to Av Brasil and Parc Lezama. Here the crowds were huge but good humoured, cheering when President Javier styled his government as ‘the best government in Argentine history’. He went on to compliment Toto for his economic reforms. He also had a message for the Kirchnerite ‘Kukas’ and their band of ‘corrupt journalists’ who seek to undermine his efforts, describing them as ‘new traitors who will be swallowed by the earth.’

On our return journey Xiomara fancied a curry, so we stopped by Buenos Aires agents’ favourite curry house run by Martyn and Gus, Mash at Defensa 1338.

Politics and football are never too far apart here in Buenos Aires. Whilst the game may have been invented by the British, its soul is definitely here in Argentina.

This week, following the filing of a security assessment, court N°3 in San Isidro, north Buenos Aires has permitted Diego Maradona’s corpse to be moved from Bella Vista Garden private cemetery to a fresh public location in Puerto Madero.

His daughter Dalma wrote, “We always knew that his place was with the people but also we understood that all security guarantees had to be given as a priority. What we want is that those who love him can go to show him their love.”

A leisurely stroll around Cemeterio Recoleta will educate you on the importance to the Porteños of shrines. Evita’s mausoleum is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the capital. Now that most charismatic politician will have competition from the most talented footballer. Xiomara wondered how much Dalma would be charging visitors?

On Thursday, Javier Milei’s finance minister, Diana Mondino expressed her excitement on hearing that the British Indian Ocean Territory of Chagos was to be handed over to Mauritius after sixty years of argument. She went on to suggest that this is how Argentina should ”recover the Malvinas” - by “concrete actions and not empty rhetoric”. “The Malvinas were, are, and will always be Argentine”, she added. Diana didn’t mention her tête-à-tête with David Lammy but a Presidential spokesperson chose to add “the renewed stage in the bilateral relationship (UK/Arg) will be characterised by dialogue and confidence building.”

Readers of the Bond-Xiomara story will recall that the tale centred around the growing (and troubling) relationship between Peru and China.

Cosco Shipping, a huge Chinese state-funded company, have this month almost completed a mega-port in Chancay, north of Lima, Peru at the cost of US$ 3.5b. It will be operational next month. This will bring the number of Chinese sponsored ports to 100 in over 60 countries. Chile is not well pleased, for its presence will devastate the viability of the smaller Chilian ports that have hitherto received Chinese imports.

It is disturbing to see the increasing stranglehold that China is attaining over South American countries. Chancay is yet another example. You may recall the Chinese space station in Neuquén Province here in Argentina. A loss of trade may turn out to be the least of Chile’s problems.

On a lighter note, one reader has asked about Giannina’s dog, Ghost. I can report that both Giannina and Ghost are doing well and still settled at Palacio Haedo, albeit sleep-deprived as the scaffolding comes down. If you see them walking together in Plaza San Martin, do give them a wave!