The Latin American Report # 588

In Argentina, the war over leaked audio recordings associated with Javier Milei's government remains very active, following the release the last Friday of a recording attributed to Karina Milei, secretary of the Pink House and the president's sister. First, let's remember, there were some audios about an alleged corruption scheme through a government agency, from which Karina would be benefiting. In this sense, the occupant of the Rivadavia chair has denied any wrongdoing, standing firmly by his sister.

Thus, Balcarce 50 did not take the latest round of leaks lightly—which, furthermore, are alleged to have been obtained clandestinely—and ordered the raid of the headquarters of the media outlet funneling these information, as well as the homes of two prominent journalists. The Ministry of National Security, led by former presidential candidate Patricia Bullrich, denounced an "attack on one of the main figures of the National Government [i.e., Karina Milei], through a crude non-institutional intelligence operation," and requested restrictions on the dissemination of the other audios that the press claims to have in its possession. This request was granted by a judge, provided the audios in question were only those recorded in the National Government House.

"If the audios are true, we are facing an unprecedented scandal. It would be the first time in Argentine history that an official has been recorded inside the Casa Rosada," said presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni. However, journalistic unions have come out against the executive branch's actions. "The raids violate the protection of the right to preserve journalistic sources. Jurisprudence has historically rejected this type of request because it protects the files, communications, and materials of media outlets and journalists," stressed the Buenos Aires Press Union. "In an act of extreme madness and at its worst moment, the Javier Milei regime not only wants to accuse journalism of investigating corruption in its administration but is going directly against freedom of the press and expression," said one of the journalists deeply involved in the case.

The government of La Libertad Avanza links the crisis to a complex information operation by the opposition, due to the proximity of all these leaks to the critica elections to be held in September and October of this year. As I have said before, it could be. But since we are on the subject, the most important question now is: *how much truth is there in all of this? By the way, it is fair to claim that this is the worst moment for Milei. Things that had been going relatively well for him, such as macroeconomic management, are beginning to show significant cracks. For example, the price of the US dollar offered by the Nation Bank to the public hit a new record this Monday.

Dominican Republic / Haiti

The Dominican Republic has deported more than a quarter of a million of Haitians this year, according to immigration authorities cited by EFE. This has much to do with a hardline policy towards Haitian migration by President Luis Abinader, who states that his country cannot take on the agonizing drama experienced by its neighbor, as it compromises issues like the provision of basic services, with healthcare being one of the most highlighted in reports.

Via X

Venezuela/US

The frontrunner in the Bolivian runoff speaks to AP 👇

Trump and Latin American migration 👇. This is an interesting case because the Arévalo administration has aligned itself quite well with the Republican White House, even though it comes from a political tradition more associated with the left. For example, he has taken a hard line against Venezuela and particularly against Nicaragua.