December 5th, 2025
1. One month after taking office, the government welcomed Ambassador Peter Lamelas to the Casa Rosada
The Minister of the Interior, Diego Santilli, was received at the Casa Rosada by the US Ambassador to Argentina, Peter Lamelas. Official sources said that it was a strictly formal and introductory meeting, given that both had taken up their respective posts several weeks ago. During the day, the ambassador also attended the swearing-in of Alejandra Monteoliva as the new Minister of Security. Lamelas has been in the country for a month since he began his formal duties as a diplomat. Since then, Lamelas has met with the vast majority of the libertarian ministerial staff: he met with Luis Petri (Defense), Luis Caputo (Economy), Pablo Quirno (Foreign Affairs), Federico Sturzenegger (Deregulation), Mario Lugones (Health), and the outgoing Patricia Bullrich (Security). The Embassy notes that these are introductory meetings with the Cabinet and that there will be more in the future.
2. Scott Bessent canceled his trip to Argentina
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent decided to cancel his planned visit to Argentina next week. The official’s decision came after President Javier Milei canceled his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, which will take place this Friday at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. According to some sources, the Donald Trump administration did not like what the Argentine president did. Milei had originally said he would travel to take part in the event, occupying a prominent seat alongside the Republican president, as Argentina is the current world soccer champion. However, last week, he canceled his visit after learning of various controversies surrounding Claudio Tapia, the president of the AFA, who would also be present at the draw.
3. The government set the new Minimum, Vital, and Mobile Wage
Through Resolution 9/2025, the National Council for Employment, Productivity, and the Minimum, Vital, and Mobile Wage established new amounts for the latter, applicable from November 2025 to August 2026. Specifically, the monthly wage will increase progressively, starting at $328,400 and reaching $376,600 in August 2026. In addition, it was determined that unemployment benefits will be 75% of the worker’s best monthly remuneration, with a minimum of 50% of the minimum vital and mobile wage. It should be noted that the measure was enacted after negotiations between union representatives and employers failed to reach a consensus on an amount, which enabled the government to determine the new minimum wage through a decree, as has been the case since Javier Milei took office.
La Nación: De cuánto será el salario mínimo vital y móvil tras el aumento del Gobierno
4. Luis Caputo made statements and promises to business leaders
The Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, spoke before business leaders and promised that the labor and tax reforms are “very powerful” and that they will be “very happy to hear the details” of the regulations. Before the Inter-American Council for Trade and Production (CYCIP), the minister assured that in order to lower taxes, it is necessary to collect more revenue in two ways: “greater formalization and more economic growth.” In this regard, he predicted that economic growth will be higher than other economists forecast: “It is currently estimated at 3% or 4%, but we believe it will be higher.” Regarding the reforms, the minister emphasized that formalization is essential: “We cannot continue in a country where you cannot hire people because it is expensive and because it costs a lot to listen to people. SMEs suffer greatly from this.“ In this regard, on labor and tax reforms, he stated: ”Everyone will be very happy to hear the details of what is coming in the labor and tax reforms. Tax reform does not end here. As long as we continue to have room and collect more, we will be announcing new tax reforms”.
El Cronista: Caputo y una promesa al “círculo rojo” para tenerlo más que “contento” en una negociación clave
5. The elected representatives were sworn in, and La Libertad Avanza became the first minority party
On Wednesday, the Chamber of Deputies held its swearing-in ceremony before a podium occupied by the President of the Nation, Javier Milei, and part of the senior leadership of the National Executive. After the swearing-in of the 127 elected legislators, and those replacing those who resigned, the authorities of the Lower House were renewed: Martín Menem was reelected as president, the first vice presidency went to Cecilia Moreau (FP), and the second to Luis Petri (LLA). Meanwhile, the third vice presidency will be decided in a future session, amid a battle between the former Cambiemos (now Republicans) and the Unidos inter-bloc (United Provinces and associates) to retain that position, as they have the same number of seats. This new balance of power between the blocs comes after negotiations in which La Libertad Avanza secured 95 seats, while Fuerza Patria was left with 93 after the three legislators from Catamarca left the bloc and officially announced that they would join a provincial group: Elijo Catamarca.
TN: Con divisiones y alianzas, cómo quedó conformado el nuevo Congreso