Southern Cone

Argentina's economy is in a privatization and energy-export surge, with Milei opening AI investment and selling state assets. TotalEnergies and Adnoc's XRG are boosting gas output and LNG supply, while the waterway concession marks the largest privatization yet.

• 5Javier Milei: Argentina invites AI to free itself
• 5TotalEnergies plans to raise gas output in Argentina to meet regional demand
• 2Adnoc's XRG to acquire upstream assets to supply Argentina LNG project
• 2Belgian firm wins Argentina waterway concession in Milei's biggest privatization
• 2Argentina MSCI Review Holds Key to Foreign Investment Surge

Milei's government is embroiled in a corruption scandal around aide Adorni, whom Milei publicly defends despite resignation threats. Bullrich's resignation offer was ignored, and a Colombian libertarian ally took office, signaling regional ideological alignment.

• 9Milei returns to Argentina as Adorni prepares to leave
• 8Argentina official admits hiding $500,000 in income declarations
• 6Milei appears with two new officials and Milton Friedman's son
• 6Bullrich offers resignation to Milei, who ignores it
• 5Milei aide resigns amid corruption scandal

Security concerns are dominated by drug trafficking, with Chile seizing a historic 100-ton drug-laden wood shipment. Argentina faces security lapses like passport leaks, while military cooperation with the US Air Force highlights evolving defense ties.

• 3Chile seizes wood laced with 'historic' 100 tons of drugs
• 2Argentina players' passport details leaked in security oversight
• 1IAEA chief calls for deep nuclear verification in Iran after war
• 1Police find weapons and 77 kg of drugs in attacked man's home
• 1Saudi Arabia also built a wall against Uruguay

A dominant tension is the emotional aftermath of the Venezuela earthquake, which killed an Argentine footballer's family, while AI-generated Maradona ads for betting spark criticism. Housing deficits and a new hantavirus variant add social strains.

• 5Argentine footballer loses wife, two children in Venezuela earthquake
• 2Earthquakes strike Japan, Chile, California and Venezuela almost simultaneously
• 2AI-generated Maradona promotes sports betting, sparks criticism in Argentina
• 2Map: 6.0-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes off the Coast of Chile
• 1Paraguay celebrates national holiday after victory over Germany