AGP Executive Report

Inflation: Consumer prices rose 1.9% in September, keeping inflation below 2% for a second straight month. The annual rate eased to 33.4%, though the economy’s slowdown is raising questions about the cost of Milei’s austerity drive. Falklands Dispute: Argentina has asked an international law-of-the-sea tribunal to halt UK-authorized oil exploration near the islands. Britain says the project is lawful and the licenses remain valid, as tensions grow over the Sea Lion field. Iguazú Falls: Trails reopened after heavy El Niño-related rains sent river flows above safety limits, forcing a temporary closure. Economic Outlook: The IMF cut Argentina’s 2026 growth forecast to 2.1%. University Funding: Argentines prepared to march over funding cuts after a court ruled Milei’s decree on university financing unconstitutional.

Milei’s Washington Visit: President Javier Milei is heading to the US to strengthen ties with Donald Trump’s administration and court investors, his fifth visit this year. Iguazú Falls: Authorities briefly closed tourist access as El Niño-driven rain sent river flows above 12,000 cubic metres per second; the park reopened after levels began to fall. Economic Outlook: The IMF lowered its Latin America growth forecast to 2.3% for 2026 and 2.5% for 2027, citing the energy shock and limited gains from the AI boom. Football: Lanús beat Vélez 2-0, ending Vélez’s unbeaten start, while Lionel Messi scored twice for Inter Miami after bidding farewell to Argentina’s national team. Rugby: Shaun Edwards has joined Argentina’s coaching staff ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Universities: Argentines are preparing to march for university funding, a growing flashpoint under Milei’s spending cuts.

Milei’s Washington Visit: President Javier Milei is expected to travel to Washington on Tuesday for two days, aiming to strengthen ties with the Trump administration and meet U.S. energy officials and business leaders. Pope’s Latin America Tour: Pope Leo XIV is due to undergo surgery Tuesday to remove a lung nodule, followed by about a week in hospital. His November visit to Argentina, Uruguay and Peru remains scheduled for now. Messi’s Return to Club Football: Days after his emotional Argentina farewell, Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami beat D.C. United 4-0 in his first match back. Economy and Agriculture: A central bank director says new crypto banking measures are unlikely this year amid economic fragility. Meanwhile, Argentina’s soy planting is 30% complete, ahead of the average, as growers watch for possible El Niño effects. Falklands Dispute: Tensions flared again as the UK’s prime minister pledged to uphold the islanders’ preference to remain British, amid renewed accusations of Argentine pressure.

Papal Visit: Pope Leo XIV is due to have surgery to remove an early-stage lung nodule, with recovery expected to take about a week. He still plans to visit Argentina, Uruguay and Peru from Nov. 6 to 17, but the trip’s demanding schedule leaves questions about his recovery. Messi Watch: Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami beat D.C. United 4-0 in his first match since retiring from Argentina duty. At home, Angel Di María also netted twice as Rosario Central moved top of its league group with a 5-0 win. Lithium: Lake Resources says environmental approval for its Kachi project in Catamarca clears the way for engineering work, though financing remains a major hurdle. Malvinas Dispute: Argentina is preparing UNCLOS arbitration against the UK over planned oil and gas development in the North Malvinas Basin, while legal analysis flags potential jurisdictional obstacles. Business: Chinese carmakers are gaining ground in Argentina: they accounted for 10% of car and light commercial vehicle sales in August, up from about 2% in late 2025. Media and AI: Argentine publisher Editorial Perfil has sued OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging unauthorized use of its journalism and unfair competition.

Messi’s Next Chapter: Four days after bidding farewell to Argentina with a goal and two assists, Lionel Messi scored twice for Inter Miami in a 4-0 win over D.C. United. He also named Boca Juniors prospect Tomás Aranda among 10 rising football talents. Pope’s Argentina Visit: Pope Leo XIV says he plans to keep his November trip to Argentina, Uruguay and Peru despite upcoming surgery to remove an early-detected lung nodule; doctors expect about a week of recovery. Energy and Finance: Argentina’s energy prospects are drawing attention as the country weighs its potential to become a global supplier, while its central bank has rejected near-term crypto banking integration. Women’s Gathering: Thousands are meeting in Córdoba for the 39th Plurinational Women and Gender-Diverse People’s Gathering to share experiences and plan advocacy.

Messi’s next chapter: Four days after bidding farewell to Argentina’s national team, Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami beat D.C. United 4-0. His final Argentina appearance ended a 21-year career with a goal and two assists; he finished with 126 goals in 208 matches. Domestic football: Marcos Acuña’s early goal gave River Plate a 1-0 win over Estudiantes Río Cuarto, while Boca Juniors drew 2-2 with Instituto. Land and policy: Argentina’s Supreme Court reinstated limits on foreign ownership of land, checking President Javier Milei’s push to repeal the restrictions as protests over land sales grow. Malvinas dispute: Milei is preparing legal action over the Sea Lion oil project, renewing tensions with Britain over offshore drilling near the islands.

Airfare Costs: New airport fees are expected to push up domestic flight prices. Land Ownership: Argentina’s Supreme Court suspended Milei’s repeal of foreign land-ownership limits, restoring restrictions as protesters rallied against land sales. Central Bank: The BCRA pushed back against claims it lost $1 billion on gold hedges as its dispute with auditors continues. Messi’s Farewell: Lionel Messi ended his Argentina career with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin, after 208 appearances and 126 goals; Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute. Maradona Case: Prosecutors are seeking prison terms of up to 12 years for doctors accused of negligence in Diego Maradona’s death, while a separate inquiry is examining whether it was intentional homicide. Los Pumas: Shaun Edwards has joined Argentina’s coaching staff to help prepare for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Football: Boca Juniors rescued a 2-2 draw at Instituto as Miguel Merentiel struck in the second half; Boca sit third in Zone A, five points behind leaders Instituto. Lionel Messi’s Argentina farewell remains a defining moment of the week: he scored and assisted twice in a 3-0 win over Benin, though Benin’s coach later criticized the hosts’ treatment of his players. Malvinas Dispute: President Javier Milei is preparing legal action over the Sea Lion oil project, as Rockhopper moved to advance its stake in the offshore development, fueling tensions with Britain. Land Ownership: Protests against loosening foreign land-ownership limits have grown, and Argentina’s Supreme Court has restored restrictions. Economy and Finance: The Central Bank and auditors are at odds over gold reserves, while August’s sluggish activity raised warnings of a technical recession. Los Pumas: Former Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards has joined Argentina’s staff ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Culture: Beloved singer-songwriter Piero, known for “Mi Viejo,” has died at 81.

Rugby: Argentina has brought in Shaun Edwards as defence coach through the 2027 World Cup in Australia, with former Pumas coach Mario Ledesma joining to oversee the forwards. Land Ownership: The Supreme Court provisionally restored limits on foreign ownership of rural land, suspending Javier Milei’s repeal while a legal challenge proceeds. Messi’s Farewell: Lionel Messi ended his Argentina career with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin, closing a 21-year international chapter with 208 appearances and 126 goals. Benin coach Gernot Rohr later criticized Argentina’s treatment of his players after the match. Culture: Argentine singer-songwriter Piero, known for “Mi Viejo” and “Soy Pan, Soy Paz, Soy Más,” has died at 81.

Messi’s Farewell: Lionel Messi ended his Argentina career with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin. He leaves with 208 caps and 126 goals; Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to his longtime rival. Beef Safety: A study of 27 Argentine feedlots found antimicrobial residues at every site. Researchers warned the levels could contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Public Services: Argentina’s government is advancing plans to privatize Buenos Aires’ water company, ending two decades of state management. Economic Outlook: The World Bank expects Argentina to grow for three straight years from 2025 to 2027—the first such stretch in nearly two decades.

Messi’s Farewell: Lionel Messi ended his Argentina career with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin, closing a 21-year national-team run with 208 appearances and 126 goals. Benin’s Complaint: Coach Gernot Rohr said Argentina’s players refused post-match photos and shirt swaps, while the visiting delegation also reported poor travel and hotel arrangements. Water Privatization: Javier Milei’s government advanced plans to sell 90% of state water and sanitation company AySA and grant a 30-year concession; critics warn that access targets are pushed years into the future. Church-Government Tensions: Ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s November visit, Catholic leaders criticized the repeal of limits on foreign ownership of rural land and called for stronger support for people with disabilities. Maradona Trial: Prosecutors began closing arguments against seven medical professionals, accusing them of abandoning Diego Maradona before his 2020 death; defendants face up to 25 years if convicted.

Messi’s Farewell: Lionel Messi ended his 21-year Argentina career with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin. He leaves with 208 caps and 126 goals, calling the goodbye the saddest day of his career. FIFA rules mean Argentina cannot retire his No. 10 shirt; Como’s Nico Paz is among those tipped to inherit it. Culture: Argentine singer-songwriter Piero, best known for “Mi Viejo,” has died at 81. Milei Government: A court ruled the president’s decree blocking university funding unconstitutional, adding to pressure over public spending. Economy and Investment: August data point to a technical recession as markets lower 2026 growth forecasts. Argentina is also pitching citizenship to foreign investors, with a $350,000 contribution among the proposed routes, while Glencore’s MARA copper project has secured investment incentives.

Messi’s Farewell: Lionel Messi ended his 21-year Argentina career with a goal and two assists in a 3-0 win over Benin, before more than 85,000 fans in Buenos Aires. He said he already misses wearing the national shirt; Cristiano Ronaldo paid tribute to his longtime rival. On the Pitch: Argentina remained second in FIFA’s latest world rankings, behind Spain. Household Finances: Unemployment has overtaken inflation as Argentines’ leading national concern, according to a new poll. Nearly seven in 10 household concerns were tied to the economy, with many respondents struggling to cover expenses. Investment and Land: The government unveiled a citizenship-by-investment program, with routes starting at $350,000, as protests and a court challenge put Milei’s rollback of restrictions on foreign ownership of rural land under scrutiny. Energy: POSCO completed an upstream stage at its second lithium plant in Argentina, while Glencore secured incentives for its MARA copper project.

Sports: Messi’s Farewell: Lionel Messi closed his 21-year Argentina international career with a goal and two assists as the Albiceleste beat Benin 3-0 at the Monumental in front of 85,000 fans, pausing the match in the 10th minute for a minute-long ovation tied to his No. 10. He converted a penalty in the 71st minute and said playing for Argentina was “the most wonderful thing,” while coach Lionel Scaloni called him “irreplaceable.” Local Football Culture: The night also sparked chants against AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia and a symbolic referee gesture after the final whistle. Energy & Industry: POSCO completed the upstream process for its second brine lithium plant in Argentina’s Hombre Muerto salt flat, targeting 50,000 tons of lithium hydroxide annually. Science & Environment: Researchers reported 57 new deep-sea species from Argentina’s submarine canyons, including a sea cucumber nicknamed “Loki.” Business/Tech: Spotify said it will expand audiobooks to more than 180 markets by end-2026, including Argentina.

Messi Farewell: Lionel Messi is set to play his final Argentina match against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, ending a 21-year international run with 125 goals and 208 caps, while tributes pour in ahead of the “Last Tango” night. Football Culture: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says the team must move forward beyond Messi, even as the farewell is steeped in nostalgia; meanwhile, Benin defender Mohamed Tijani says he won’t man-mark Messi and just wants to enjoy the moment. Academic Honor: Messi will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Buenos Aires ahead of the game. Rugby Ambition: Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil submitted a joint bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup, with Argentina leading and proposing major venues including Monumental and Maradona’s stadium. Church Update: Argentina’s episcopal upheaval continues with the removal of auxiliary bishop Ricardo Seirutti of Córdoba following a Vatican-led process. Legal/Politics: Argentina’s Supreme Court will reexamine the DNU that loosened rules on foreign purchases of rural land. Security & U.S. Ties: Argentina announced new U.S. security funding, raising questions about how strategic independence shifts as cooperation deepens.

Messi Farewell: Lionel Messi’s final Argentina match is set for Tuesday at Buenos Aires’ Estadio Monumental against Benin, with the sold-out send-off dubbed “El Último Tango.” Hours before kickoff, Messi posted from his last training session: “Special moments I’m sure I’m gonna miss.” Benin defender Mohamed Tijani admitted there’s “no special plan” to stop Messi—just enjoy the game—while Rosario unveiled a giant “GRACIAS 10” shirt honoring the hometown hero. Post-Messi Football: Argentina is already looking ahead to who wears the No. 10 and who leads next, with Cristian Romero named as captain for the post-Messi era. Sports & Culture: Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil submitted a joint bid to host the 2035 Rugby World Cup. Environment Watch: A record-breaking die-off is reported at Argentina’s Valdés Peninsula, with preliminary counts of dead southern right whale calves already above 340.