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Original Source: Radio Con Vos 89.9
This video from Radio Con Vos 89.9 covered several topics. Streamed.News selected 7 key moments and summarizes them here. Each section links directly to the moment in the original video.
This news is crucial because persistent and high inflation erodes the purchasing power of wages, making essential goods and services increasingly unaffordable for Argentine families and jeopardizing the country's economic stability.
March inflation in Argentina reaches 3.4%, exceeding government's annual projections in just three months
Co-presenter Noe reported that March inflation in Argentina was 3.4%, bringing the accumulated inflation for the first quarter to 9.4%. This figure already exceeds the government's expectation of 10% for the entire year 2026. Sectors such as education (12.1%), transportation, and public utility rates recorded the largest increases, showing that the opening of imports is failing to discipline prices in these sectors. The IMF, in fact, doubled its inflation expectation for Argentina from 16% to 30% annually.
These increases, especially in services, suggest an increase in the poverty index, as basic food baskets, while below the general index in March, show an increase in the quarterly accumulated. Inflation in services (4.2%) exceeded that of goods (3%), which highlights a possible outdatedness of the basket with which INDEC measures inflation, giving less weight to services and distorting the perception of the real impact on citizens' pockets.
"In the first three months of the year, we had 9.4 accumulated inflation. The government in the 2026 budget had said that this year the total inflation for the whole year was going to be 10%."
Economist warns that basic food basket underestimates poverty by not including public service costs
Economist Sergio Arelovic pointed out that the basic food basket does not reflect the real impact on Argentine families, as it does not consider increases in essential public services for preparing food, such as electricity or gas. Although the basket may increase below general inflation, the need to refrigerate or cook food implies an expense in services that is not being measured, thus underestimating the economic difficulty of households.
Meanwhile, the co-presenter expressed concern about the continuity of the "chainsaw" policy and cuts in sensitive areas such as disability, pensions, and health. This measure could push society to a breaking point, affecting unemployed families and generating considerable social stress, questioning the sustainability of these policies.
"Half of the foods that make up the basic food basket need some type of public service. They need either refrigeration or for you to heat them or for you to cook them. And the basic food basket does not contemplate the increase in public services, which was tremendous in March."
Presenter refutes Milei's explanations on inflation, noting that core inflation exceeds 30% annually
A presenter refuted President Javier Milei's explanations on the causes of March inflation. He argued that the increase in meat prices is due to the elimination of export duties, which incentivizes exports to the detriment of the domestic market. Furthermore, he minimized the impact of the war on the increase in gasoline prices, indicating that this factor has been rising for 12 months and that its influence on the March index was less than implied by the president.
The presenter highlighted that, even if core inflation stands at 2.5% as Milei suggests, this represents an annual rate exceeding 30%. This figure contradicts the government's promises of "zero inflation" and suggests that current policies, which include wage and dollar anchors, the elimination of public works, and the influx of imported products, are not managing to control the country's underlying inflation.
"The base inflation, the one you can't bring down, regardless of any war, transportation, is 2.5, which will probably be 2.5 or a little more or a little less in April, it doesn't matter, you're talking about more than 30% annually, you said it would be zero by now."
Presenter criticizes Milei for "level of delusion" in claiming record GDP and consumption amid sharp industrial decline
A presenter criticized President Javier Milei, describing a "level of delusion" in his statements, where he oscillates between acknowledging people's suffering and assuring that Argentina is living in an economic paradise. Milei claimed records in GDP, consumption, and exports, as well as a "Rigi" soaring with investments and strong credit growth. However, the presenter contrasted these data with an industrial decline of 8.7%, a figure he calls a "disaster" and which shows a deep disconnection from the economic reality of most Argentinians.
The contradiction in Milei's statements is exacerbated by the order to continue with an additional 20% fiscal adjustment per ministry, as revealed by Minister Caputo. The presenter argues that this "chainsaw" policy has failed to reduce inflation and is "amputating the hands and arms of a society," demonstrating a fanaticism that prioritizes ideology over social well-being and long-term economic sustainability.
"Today we are at record GDP, we are at record consumption, we are at record exports. The Rigi is flying with the amount of investments coming in, it is starting to work. Credit is growing strongly, that is, we are starting to recompose working capital."
Presenter accuses Milei of "fanaticism" and manipulation of figures when justifying adjustment with "Judeo-Christian tradition"
A presenter harshly criticized President Javier Milei for justifying his economic program based on "Judeo-Christian tradition," labeling this stance as "fanaticism" and "fraud." The presenter compared this ideology to the failure of IMF adjustment recipes in the 90s, which caused economic crises in countries like Mexico and Southeast Asia, demonstrating that adjusting during a recession only leads to a drop in revenue and greater social harm.
Milei was accused of lying and manipulating figures, recalling his promise of an annual inflation of 10% when in just three months almost that figure was reached. This insistence on an adjustment that deepens the recession, without considering the impact on revenue and the well-being of the population, is seen as a "simple" and ineffective recipe for a complex economic problem, prioritizing theory over alleviating people's lives.
"Our moral values indicate that lying is WRONG, that swindling, stealing is WRONG. Therefore, above all else, we are not going to do that because it is a scam, because it is a lie, because it is fraud, because it is morally incorrect."
Presenter denounces Milei's manipulation of consumption statistics, Caputo shows ignorance of popular reality
A presenter explained how President Javier Milei manipulates consumption statistics by counting total spending, without considering that a larger portion of income is allocated to essential services such as electricity and gas, which reduces real purchasing power for other goods. While the government may show an increase in total spending, people perceive a decrease in their purchasing power, as a growing portion of their salary is consumed by utility rates.
Likewise, the presenter criticized Economy Minister Luis Caputo for justifying the drop in milk consumption by attributing it to people "overstocking" sachets for fear of pesos. This explanation reveals a profound ignorance of popular reality, as milk sachets are not products suitable for massive storage. The drop in milk consumption is 20% compared to the previous administration, making it the year with the lowest consumption in decades.
"If you generate growth based on consumption due to a collapse in money demand, that is, because people are afraid of having pesos in their pockets, then they go and overstock themselves and go to the supermarket and buy 48 milk sachets, let's say, yes, that number in that month or in that quarter can give you growth, but it's not healthy growth."
US Ambassador highlights shared vision with Milei for Argentina's growth as a preferred partner
US Ambassador Marc Stanley affirmed that his mission in Argentina is to promote the country to "grow with more economic freedom, more stability" and become a "preferred partner" of the US. Stanley highlighted a shared vision between former President Donald Trump and President Javier Milei on economic freedom and reducing regulations. He emphasized Argentina's potential in energy (Vaca Muerta), mining (lithium, copper, silver, uranium), and agribusiness, as well as its talent in technology.
The program's presenter criticized the ambassador's approach, noting that the conversation focuses on an extractivist model that does not mention industry as a growth engine. This perspective raises concerns about the type of development being promoted for Argentina and how it aligns with the country's economic diversification needs, beyond the exploitation of natural resources.
"President Trump and President Milei share a vision: economic freedom, fewer regulations, more transparency, and a strong private sector."
Summary of Radio Con Vos 89.9 · 41:50. All credit belongs to the original creators. Streamed.News summarizes publicly available video content.
