Friday Mar 10, 2023 - Argentina - Deepening economic crisis, Gangs wreak havoc in Rosario, Córdoba-Mt. Pleasant route cancelled

These are the trending news headlines in Argentina on Friday March 10, 2023

Argentina is facing a deepening economic crisis as the country experiences its worst drought in over 60 years. Already struggling with spiraling inflation, the decline in grain production - Argentina's main export - has raised default fears and put at risk targets agreed on with the International Monetary Fund. The Buenos Aires grain exchange has reduced its harvest forecasts again, while the Rosario exchange has slashed soy production outlook to the lowest since the turn of the century. Farmers in the fertile Pampas region are expected to face losses of $14 billion, with the output of soy, corn, and wheat expected to be 50 million tonnes less. As general elections approach in October, the drought is a huge blow to Argentina's economy.

The city of Rosario is under siege as gangs continue to wreak havoc, resulting in the killing of an 11-year-old boy and a threat against football superstar Lionel Messi. In response, the country has launched a massive offensive on gangs in the area, bringing in 575 security personnel to address the spate of attacks. Minister of Security Anibal Fernandez promised to "fight to the bone" to deal with the gangs, who have been responsible for one murder per day this year. On the streets of Rosario, people are living in fear as the gangs steal, pressure, squeeze, and hurt them. The situation has prompted a national response to get to the root of the issue.

In a move that has been long in the making, Argentina has officially cancelled the Córdoba-Mt. Pleasant route. The authorization granted to LATAM Brasil to serve Mount Pleasant in the Malvinas/Falkland Islands from Córdoba was officially revoked by the Argentine Government, according to the Official Gazette published on Tuesday. The Argentine Foreign Ministry claimed that the decision was taken "after presenting the United Kingdom with numerous initiatives to achieve greater connectivity between the Argentine mainland and the Malvinas Islands", but that these efforts were stymied by the British government. This cancellation follows years of negotiations and failed attempts to establish direct air connectivity between the mainland and the islands. The Argentine Government has expressed its willingness to resume negotiations on sovereignty and greater connectivity between the Malvinas Islands and the rest of the Argentine territory.

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