Southern Cone

Argentina's economy is pivoting decisively towards the United States through new trade and critical minerals agreements. This realignment is coupled with major domestic reforms, including the passage of historic labor legislation and a potential copper boom contingent on environmental law changes. The government is also mediating industrial disputes, as seen with the FATE tire plant closure.

• 6Argentina passes major labor reform backed by President Milei
• 5United States and Argentina sign trade agreement eliminating key tariffs
• 5Argentina postpones new inflation measurement method after official resigns
• 3Equinor divests parts of its Argentina assets in $1.1 billion deal
• 2A $40 billion copper boom in Argentina hinges on revamped glacier law

Argentine politics is dominated by the contentious passage of President Milei's labor reform bill through Congress, marked by tense legislative sessions and political divisions. Concurrently, the government pursues a high-profile extradition request for Maduro and Chile nominates Michelle Bachelet for a major UN role.

• 5Milei's labor reform advances in Congress amid protests and political moves
• 5Chile nominates former president Michelle Bachelet for UN secretary-general role
• 3"No tengo otra opción": murmullos y polémica con Victoria Villarruel justo antes de la aprobación de la reforma laboral en el Senado
• 3Milei's policies and criticism dominate Argentine political debate
• 2Milei pushes through a labor reform that Argentina resisted under previous right‐wing governments

Security incidents are bifurcated, with Argentina experiencing violent clashes between police and striking workers protesting labor reforms, and Chile suffering fatal explosions in Santiago. Cross-border legal issues and allegations of foreign cyber activity against Chile add complexity.

• 3At least three dead, 10 injured in Santiago explosion, local radio says
• 2Argentina's striking workers clash with police over Milei labor reforms
• 2Argentine lawyer in racist gesture case moved to police station
• 1Argentina to pay US firm $33 million to train F-16 pilots
• 1US Alleges Foreign Hack Targeted Chile, Cancels Officials’ Visas

Argentine society is in a state of mobilized opposition, centered on a general strike and widespread protests against Milei's labor reform. The conflict has escalated beyond labor groups, drawing in business leaders after Milei's public attacks on them over corruption and pricing.

• 7General strike in Argentina against Milei's labor reform cancels flights in Brazil
• 4Milei clashes with business leaders over corruption claims
• 3Protesters clash with police over bid to restrict Argentina’s labour rights
• 3Milei creates office to counter media, drawing Trump comparisons
• 2Milei attacks businessmen amid tire price conflict