logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2024
26m 48s

Does Argentina have the patience for Mil...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Javier Milei was sworn in as Argentina’s president in December. He's referred to as El Loco (the madman) by his critics and many supporters. His promise to take a chainsaw to government in an attempt to solve rampant inflation, won over voters who'd had enough of the status quo. But do they have the patience for his economic shock therapy, and the pain he said would be felt before any benefits?

The BBC's South America correspondent Ione Wells tells us what people in Argentina make of his first two months. And Evan Davis, former BBC economics editor, explains what the names of his four pet dogs tells us about his economic inspirations.

The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. Is there a story where you are that we should be telling as part of The Global Story? Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Today’s podcast was made by Richard Moran and Jay Gardner. The technical producer was Sam Dickinson. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Up next
Yesterday
Iran, the US and Israel: who really won?
The US and Iran have agreed a deal to end the war, which – if all goes to plan – will be signed at a ceremony in Switzerland on Friday.But the agreement remains shrouded in mystery, and major questions remain about whether both sides can reach a long-term peace deal.We speak to t ... Show More
26m 56s
Yesterday
What are Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump up to in Albania?
In the centre of Albania's capital, Tirana, thousands have been taking to the streets. The target of the protests are not just the government, but also Donald’s Trump daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, Jared Kushner.The pair have been working on a new multi-billion dollar luxury ... Show More
27m 2s
Jun 12
The World Cup referee barred from the United States
The 2026 World Cup kicked off last night in Mexico, after a series of controversies in the lead up, including over visas for foreign teams, fans, media and officials hoping to go to the host countries: US, Canada and Mexico. The latest scandal involves FIFA dropping Somali refere ... Show More
27m 50s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
How is Argentina faring under Javier Milei?
Argentina’s lower legislative house is set to approve President Javier Milei’s package of economic reforms. Despite signs of economic improvement on the macro level, the consequences of Milei’s spending cuts for the average person have been profound. How have everyday Argentinian ... Show More
16m 48s
Dec 2022
Britain’s nurses launch historic strike
<p>Global stocks tumbled after a broad group of central banks raised interest rates, and nurses in England,&nbsp;Wales and Northern Ireland went on strike. Plus, Argentina’s World Cup success is temporarily distracting Argentinians from economic and political turmoil.&nbsp;</p><b ... Show More
8m 55s
Nov 2023
Argentina is in its Milei era
<p>A majority of OpenAI employees sent a letter demanding that the board reinstate former CEO Sam Altman, Argentina is entering a new era after electing radical libertarian outsider Javier Milei as president, and the US Department of Justice is seeking more than $4bn from Binance ... Show More
11m 19s
Feb 2024
“Make Argentina Great Again!”
US inflation feels bad until you look at Argentina’s, which is breaking 200 percent. Today, Explained’s Sean Rameswaram reports from Buenos Aires, where residents are divided over their new anarcho-capitalist President Javier Milei’s shock therapy. This episode was reported by Se ... Show More
25m 37s
Nov 2023
How a chainsaw wielding TV star became Argentina’s president
Argentina has elected far-right outsider Javier Milei as its new president.He’s a pretty unconventional politician - from tantric sex to cloning dogs. But, how did he win and what could this mean for the Latin American country? The BBC’s Maria Clara Montoya explains.TikTok played ... Show More
12m 30s
Oct 2023
Leaders Of The Free World?
<p>President Biden wanted to show America’s global strength during his flying visit to Israel this week, but does the United States still call the shots internationally? The Americast team reviews Biden’s high-stakes 30 hours in the region, talks about the misinformation swirling ... Show More
33m 37s
Dec 2023
Can an ‘Anarcho-Capitalist’ President Save Argentina’s Economy?
<p><i>Warning: this episode contains strong language.</i></p><p>With Argentina again in the midst of an economic crisis, Argentine voters turned to Javier Milei, a far-right libertarian who has drawn comparisons to Donald J. Trump.</p><p>Jack Nicas, who covers South America for T ... Show More
21m 12s
Sep 2021
Biden’s diplomacy on the world stage
President Biden struck an optimistic note when addressing the UN this week, emphasizing that the America First doctrines of the Trump administration are in the past. But whether it's the Afghanistan withdrawal or a new nuclear deal with Australia and the UK, many Western allies a ... Show More
11m 16s
Aug 2023
Spain’s #MeToo moment?
Ben and Tommy talk about the fallout after Spain’s head soccer official kissed star player Jennifer Hermoso, BRICS announcing the addition of six countries, Donald Trump’s musings on the Panama Canal, and a report that the US was aware of Saudi Arabia’s torture and killing of Afr ... Show More
1h 11m