Southern Cone in March 2026: the most important developments in politics
Argentina's political conflict between President Javier Milei and Vice President Victoria Villarruel was the main story of March 2026 in the Southern Cone. On March 4 the vice president's office accused the president's allies of coup-mongering and corruption, and Milei appointed Buenos Aires chief prosecutor Eduardo Casal as justice minister. Tensions surfaced again at a wine festival, where Villarruel pursued an agenda separate from the presidential delegation, and she filed a defamation lawsuit against several officials and journalists; by March 14 that lawsuit faced a request for dismissal. A poll indicated she could challenge Milei in a reelection bid. The month began with Milei's labor law changes passing the lower house.
Milei's foreign travel formed the second theme. He met President Donald Trump in Miami, where the two launched a regional alliance aimed at combating drug trafficking and countering Chinese influence in Latin America, then went to New York. Several provincial governors expressed discontent that he did not meet them during the US trip. In Madrid, a document alleging a $5 million deal for his political support and reports of him insulting Spanish officials led the Spanish government to summon Argentina's ambassador. Iran's foreign ministry accused Milei of crossing a red line with hostile remarks.
A cryptocurrency investigation was the third theme. A judge found deleted messages in the $LIBRA case involving an ally of Milei, and prosecutors examined an alleged $5 million deal for Milei to promote a crypto scheme, with evidence reportedly found on a phone.
In Chile, José Antonio Kast was sworn in as president on March 11, after suspending the formal transition with the outgoing government on March 4 over disagreements about the process. In his inaugural address he vowed an "audit" of all government ministries and pledged reforms to reduce the state's role and tackle crime and illegal immigration. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was criticized for not attending the inauguration.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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