Argentina Plans to Remove Legal Recognition of Femicide, Sparking Outrage

Argentina's President Javier Milei announced on January 18, 2025, that the country has achieved its first budget surplus since 2010. This announcement coincided with his implementation of a drastic economic plan, termed "shock therapy," aimed at stabilizing the nation’s economy. Amid ongoing high inflation and a deepening recession, Milei declared on social media that "the promises have been fulfilled" and touted the successful establishment of a "zero deficit" budget. Milei's fiscal strategy has been marked by significant cuts to public spending, including reductions in social programs and subsidies, as well as the dismissal of numerous public sector employees. These measures, designed to rein in government expenditure, resulted in a projected revenue increase of 0.3% of GDP for 2024, according to Economy Minister Luis Caputo. However, the austerity measures have had severe social repercussions; the inflation rate remains high at 117.8%, making Argentina one of the countries with the highest inflation globally. Furthermore, five million additional citizens fell below the poverty line in the first half of 2024, leading to 52.9% of the population now living in poverty, with extreme poverty increasing from 11.9% to 18.1%. Despite the criticisms of his economic policies and the immediate suffering they have inflicted, Milei maintains that these tough measures are essential for long-term recovery, predicting a GDP growth of 5% in 2025. The country is also engaged in challenging negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over a new support program after the previous $44 billion aid package expired. Milei is scheduled to meet with IMF Director Kristalina Georgiewa in Washington prior to the inauguration of the newly elected US President Donald Trump.

Argentine anthropologist Rita Segato, noted for her extensive research on violence, has proposed alarming connections between gender-based violence in Ciudad Juárez and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. During her recent presentation at the Guadalajara International Book Fair, Segato argued that these violent acts serve as a demonstration of power and impunity, marking what she sees as the end of an era of respect for human rights. Segato, who has devoted over 30 years to studying violence, power dynamics, and colonialism, expressed her concerns regarding societal trends that dismiss humanitarian principles. She articulated that the current geopolitical climate poses a universal threat, likening the violence in Gaza to a spectacle of impunity that resonates globally. Through her work, Segato has highlighted the systematic cruelty faced by women, arguing that their bodies become the battlefield where power is asserted. She criticized the lack of accountability in cases of feminicides, noting that 95% of crimes in Mexico go unresolved. The anthropologist's insights also draw parallels with historical instances of oppression, suggesting that the visible display of violence in Gaza is akin to the atrocities witnessed during the Holocaust, where such brutality was largely hidden from public view. As a prominent figure in Latin American anthropology, Segato, who holds several honorary doctorates and has written extensively on the subject, has gained recognition not only for her academic contributions but also for her passionate advocacy against gender-based violence.

An Argentine judge has confirmed charges against five individuals linked to the death of Liam Payne, former member of the popular boy band One Direction. The judge has ordered preventive prison for two of the accused, who are alleged to have supplied drugs to Payne before his fatal fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires in October. The judicial officer stated that one of the detained individuals is a hotel employee, while the other is a waiter that Payne interacted with at a restaurant. Both are charged with drug supply and are required to appear before the judge. Additionally, three other individuals, including a businessman who was with Payne and two hotel managers, face manslaughter charges but were not ordered into preventive detention. Lieutenant authorities have previously revealed that Payne fell from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room. An autopsy identified the cause of death as multiple injuries and external bleeding, noting traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant in his system. Prosecutors indicated that Payne did not die by suicide, and no signs of self-harm or foul play were found in the autopsy results. The incident has drawn significant media attention, highlighting the tragic circumstances surrounding the life of the talented singer, who pursued a solo career after One Direction announced an indefinite hiatus in 2016.