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Argentina

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Argentina. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Buenos Aires

Head of State

President Javier Milei

Head of Government

President Javier Milei

British Army personnel patrol near Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. Photo: EPA

United Nations

Milei renews Argentina’s Falklands claim, rails against ‘useless’ UN

Firebrand Argentine leader calls world body a ‘useless organisation’ filled with ‘arrogant parasites’.

24 Sep 2026 - 1:11PM

My Life

Wing Shya: photographer to Wong Kar-wai on working with the great and good of Hong Kong cinema

21 Sep 2026 - 8:00AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Young Argentines’ mounting debt struggles test support for Milei

9 Sep 2026 - 7:30PM

Diplomacy

As I see it | Britain should accept a Hong Kong-style handover of the Falklands

Argentina has history, geography and justice on its side. The 1984 Joint Declaration offers a clear precedent for a peaceful, negotiated transfer of sovereignty.

9 Sep 2026 - 9:30AM

A view of Stanley, Falkland Islands, on October 9, 2019. Argentine President Javier Milei has explicitly rejected military solutions to the country’s territorial dispute with the UK. Photo: AFP

United States

Argentina threatens to sanction oil projects around Falkland Islands

On Saturday, oilfield services firms including Schlumberger and Halliburton said they do not and will not work on projects near the islands.

6 Sep 2026 - 7:46AM

France

Students slam ‘mini-dictatorship’ at Argentina-run residence in Paris

Residents allege surveillance and far-right meetings as they claim Argentina House at Cite Universitaire has become ‘a space of fear’.

5 Sep 2026 - 4:04PM

Donald Trump

Milei escalates Falklands dispute with UK as Trump hints at US policy shift

Argentine president moves to block offshore oil project and bolster naval presence following US leader’s comments on UK alliance.

4 Sep 2026 - 3:53PM

Stanley, Falkland Islands. Argentina’s Javier Milei is reviving his country’s bitter clash with the UK over the islands, targeting a new oil project. Photo: AFP

Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Hong Kong considers DNA testing amid concerns over ‘fighting dog’ classification

Authorities studying use of genetic testing to identify breeds, but physical characteristics remain key to classification.

3 Sep 2026 - 2:16PM

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi retires from Argentina’s international team

Messi, who captained Argentina ⁠to the World Cup title in 2022 and ⁠the final in 2026, said the decision ‘hurt’ but ‘the time has come’.

1 Sep 2026 - 1:28AM

China-Latin America relations

Brazil’s China borrowing, Colombia quake aid: 7 Latin America relations reads

From corruption allegations to US sanctions and Trump allegations, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in August 2026.

31 Aug 2026 - 10:00PM

Rescue teams work at the site of the Limonar Tower, which collapsed during an earthquake in Cali, Colombia, in August. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ football sells for US$3.35 million

Match ball from 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England falls well short of US$10 million estimate.

25 Aug 2026 - 12:46PM

The football with which Diego Maradona scored his 'Hand of God' goal at the 1986 World Cup. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

US, China diplomats clash over tech spying and trade hub claims in Latin America

Weeks before the expected Xi-Trump summit in Washington, officials are trading barbs on social media over the latest competitive arena.

24 Aug 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Hong Kong urged to adopt trait-based dog tiers, DNA checks after attacks

Proposal calls for risk tiers, certified handlers, muzzles or possible confiscation of highest-risk animals as authorities review fighting-dog rules.

24 Aug 2026 - 8:29PMvideocam

Animals

Lions, tigers from notorious Argentine zoo begin journey to wildlife sanctuaries

The cats are on their way to sanctuaries in South Africa and the US from the zoo, which was shut in 2020 over animal welfare concerns.

15 Aug 2026 - 9:43AM

Members of the Four Paws animal welfare organisation carry a tiger in Lujan, Argentina, on Friday to a crate for its transfer from a shuttered zoo to a sanctuary in South Africa. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

US accuses 9 Latin American countries of helping China avoid Trump’s tariffs

More than 40 countries targeted for helping Beijing illegally avoid tariffs by rerouting trade via nations with lower American import duties.

14 Aug 2026 - 7:34AMvideocam

Chinese container ship Cosco Shipping Rose docks at the Panama Canal’s Cocoli locks in Panama City. The White House has accused nine Latin American economies of helping Beijing illegally evade US tariffs by rerouting trade through countries with lower US import duties. Photo: AP

Crime

Doctors ignored ‘warning signs’ before Maradona’s death, court hears

7 healthcare professionals have been on trial since April for potential negligence leading up to the Argentine footballer’s death in 2020.

12 Aug 2026 - 5:07AMvideocam

Lionel Messi

No pressure on Lionel Messi to retire from football, says Argentina boss

Messi will turn 43 during ‌the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Cristiano Ronaldo was 41 during this summer’s tournament.

8 Aug 2026 - 9:00PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball heads to US auction

The football used by the Argentinian legend to score his infamous goal in the 1986 World Cup is expected to fetch US$10 million.

8 Aug 2026 - 6:56AM

The ball that was used in the 1986 World Cup match between Argentina and England during which Diego Maradona scored the “Hand of God” goal is displayed before auction at Heritage Auctions in Beverly Hills, California, on Friday. Photo: AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump ally Abelardo de la Espriella sworn in as Colombia president

The right-wing ex-lawyer who calls himself ‘The Tiger’ vowed to bomb cocaine labs, build mega prisons and usher in closer ties with the US.

8 Aug 2026 - 2:39PM

US-China relations

In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc

A strong, visionary leader is needed as next secretary general as Iran war rages during one of most ‘unpredictable times geopolitically’.

7 Aug 2026 - 11:07PMvideocam

China-Latin America relations

Argentina extends US$19 billion China currency swap despite US pressure

Buenos Aires locks in the yuan line until 2031, months after the US Treasury Department offered a rival facility.

7 Aug 2026 - 3:21AMvideocam

Argentine President Javier Milei campaigned on a pledge never to do business with communist governments, but later sought Beijing’s help to extend the currency swap. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

US revokes visa of Brazil’s ambassador to Washington in escalating row

State Department retaliates against Brasilia over delayed envoy approval as fractious relationship is again tested.

5 Aug 2026 - 10:49AM

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during a recent visit to Washington. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

At 80, Brazil’s Lula launches campaign for fourth term

Leftist icon vows to protect critical minerals from foreign control as election battle against far-right rival looms.

3 Aug 2026 - 2:59PM

China exports

China’s surgical robots break into Vietnam as Beijing targets US dominance

Shipments to Asean have surged 246% this year as cross-border healthcare platforms pave way for manufacturers to challenge US giants like Intuitive Surgical.

31 Jul 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Argentina’s president decrees expulsion of foreigners expressing ‘hate’ against nation

Move follows backlash over World Cup defeat as legal experts and opposition politicians denounce emergency measure as unconstitutional.

31 Jul 2026 - 11:17AM

Argentina’s President Javier Milei. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Selection for next UN chief gets under way with Grynspan early front runner

United Nations Security Council started the process on Thursday to pick its new secretary general as successor to Antonio Guterres.

1 Aug 2026 - 3:19AMvideocam

The former vice-president of Costa Rica, Rebeca Grynspan, is the early front runner to be the next United Nations secretary general. Photo: Reuters

South Korea

How South Korea can ease Brazilian concerns to unlock trade in South America

Money and technology transfer are the keys to opening the door to free trade with Mercosur members, according to analysts.

29 Jul 2026 - 5:00PM

United Nations

UN leader candidates pitch visions to save world body in crisis

With a week before initial voting begins, six hopefuls make their case to replace Antonio Guterres.

24 Jul 2026 - 2:35PM

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Argentina

Milei renews Argentina’s Falklands claim, rails against ‘useless’ UN

Firebrand Argentine leader calls world body a ‘useless organisation’ filled with ‘arrogant parasites’.

Wing Shya: photographer to Wong Kar-wai on working with the great and good of Hong Kong cinema

Young Argentines’ mounting debt struggles test support for Milei

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}As I see it | Britain should accept a Hong Kong-style handover of the Falklands

Argentina has history, geography and justice on its side. The 1984 Joint Declaration offers a clear precedent for a peaceful, negotiated transfer of sovereignty.

Argentina threatens to sanction oil projects around Falkland Islands

On Saturday, oilfield services firms including Schlumberger and Halliburton said they do not and will not work on projects near the islands.

Students slam ‘mini-dictatorship’ at Argentina-run residence in Paris

Residents allege surveillance and far-right meetings as they claim Argentina House at Cite Universitaire has become ‘a space of fear’.

Milei escalates Falklands dispute with UK as Trump hints at US policy shift

Argentine president moves to block offshore oil project and bolster naval presence following US leader’s comments on UK alliance.

Hong Kong considers DNA testing amid concerns over ‘fighting dog’ classification

Authorities studying use of genetic testing to identify breeds, but physical characteristics remain key to classification.

Lionel Messi retires from Argentina’s international team

Messi, who captained Argentina ⁠to the World Cup title in 2022 and ⁠the final in 2026, said the decision ‘hurt’ but ‘the time has come’.

Brazil’s China borrowing, Colombia quake aid: 7 Latin America relations reads

From corruption allegations to US sanctions and Trump allegations, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in August 2026.

Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ football sells for US$3.35 million

Match ball from 1986 World Cup quarter-final against England falls well short of US$10 million estimate.

US, China diplomats clash over tech spying and trade hub claims in Latin America

Weeks before the expected Xi-Trump summit in Washington, officials are trading barbs on social media over the latest competitive arena.

Hong Kong urged to adopt trait-based dog tiers, DNA checks after attacks

Proposal calls for risk tiers, certified handlers, muzzles or possible confiscation of highest-risk animals as authorities review fighting-dog rules.

Lions, tigers from notorious Argentine zoo begin journey to wildlife sanctuaries

The cats are on their way to sanctuaries in South Africa and the US from the zoo, which was shut in 2020 over animal welfare concerns.

US accuses 9 Latin American countries of helping China avoid Trump’s tariffs

More than 40 countries targeted for helping Beijing illegally avoid tariffs by rerouting trade via nations with lower American import duties.

Doctors ignored ‘warning signs’ before Maradona’s death, court hears

7 healthcare professionals have been on trial since April for potential negligence leading up to the Argentine footballer’s death in 2020.

No pressure on Lionel Messi to retire from football, says Argentina boss

Messi will turn 43 during ‌the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Cristiano Ronaldo was 41 during this summer’s tournament.

Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ball heads to US auction

The football used by the Argentinian legend to score his infamous goal in the 1986 World Cup is expected to fetch US$10 million.

Trump ally Abelardo de la Espriella sworn in as Colombia president

The right-wing ex-lawyer who calls himself ‘The Tiger’ vowed to bomb cocaine labs, build mega prisons and usher in closer ties with the US.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc

A strong, visionary leader is needed as next secretary general as Iran war rages during one of most ‘unpredictable times geopolitically’.

Argentina extends US$19 billion China currency swap despite US pressure

Buenos Aires locks in the yuan line until 2031, months after the US Treasury Department offered a rival facility.

US revokes visa of Brazil’s ambassador to Washington in escalating row

State Department retaliates against Brasilia over delayed envoy approval as fractious relationship is again tested.

At 80, Brazil’s Lula launches campaign for fourth term

Leftist icon vows to protect critical minerals from foreign control as election battle against far-right rival looms.

China’s surgical robots break into Vietnam as Beijing targets US dominance

Shipments to Asean have surged 246% this year as cross-border healthcare platforms pave way for manufacturers to challenge US giants like Intuitive Surgical.

Argentina’s president decrees expulsion of foreigners expressing ‘hate’ against nation

Move follows backlash over World Cup defeat as legal experts and opposition politicians denounce emergency measure as unconstitutional.

Selection for next UN chief gets under way with Grynspan early front runner

United Nations Security Council started the process on Thursday to pick its new secretary general as successor to Antonio Guterres.

How South Korea can ease Brazilian concerns to unlock trade in South America

Money and technology transfer are the keys to opening the door to free trade with Mercosur members, according to analysts.

UN leader candidates pitch visions to save world body in crisis

With a week before initial voting begins, six hopefuls make their case to replace Antonio Guterres.

As I see it | Britain should accept a Hong Kong-style handover of the Falklands

In Focus | Race for UN top job enters final stage: choice may ‘make or break’ bloc