Argentina: Buenos Aires Bookfair Expects 1 Million Visitors

Argentina is hosting the 41st edition of the Buenos Aires International Bookfair, which will last through May 11. One million visitors are expected to attend the event, featuring authors from around the world. It is the most important bookfair in the Spanish-speaking world and in terms of the number of days it lasts, it is the longest internationally. This year Mexico City is the guest of honor. 

Laureano Ponce reports from Buenos Aires.

Argentina Moves Against Speculative, Unauthorized Forex Operations

Argentina is making progress in its fight against speculative and unauthorized foreign exchange operations. The Central Bank has increased its control over such forex transactions, reducing black market operations. In the first three months of 2015, authorities seized US$300,000 in speculative transactions. Speculation in foreign currency is rooted in fears of a devaluation of the Argentine peso. To help deal with this situation, specialists are calling on the government to boost its forex reserves to maintain the exchange rate. 

Laureano Ponce reports from Buenos Aires.

Argentina Nationalizes Rail System

The Argentine Senate voted Wednesday to re-nationalize the country's railway system and boost its efficiency. Passenger service had already been in state hands; the bill, sent to the Senate last month by President Cristina Fernandez, now nationalizes freight operations as well. The measure, which had almost unanimous support in the legislature, will help the country's economy and benefit areas outside the capital. 

Laureano Ponce reports from Buenos Aires.

Campesinos Debate 21st Century Agrarian Reform

Large landowners have historically held a lot of power in Argentina. At a regional Campesino Union Summit, participants agreed that the national oligarchy made up of land-owning elites, some of whom are allied with multinational corporations, is the major obstacle to progressive policies for the countryside. Speakers questioned modern technologies used in food production without taking environmental consequences into account, and noted that major corporations retain 60% of ther profits. To confront this model, campesinos debated a proposal for agrarian reform adapted to the realities of the 21st century, as well as sustainable food production models. 

Laureano Ponce reports from Buenos Aires for teleSUR.

Regional Peasant Summit Underway in Argentina

More than 1,000 delegates from across Latin America are gathered in Argentina for the 6th regional congress of the Latin American Coordinating Committee of Peasant Organizations-Vía Campesina. Under the slogan "Against Capitalism, for the Sovereignty of Our Peoples, America is United and Continues to Struggle" participants are discussing the crisis in agriculture and strategies for the future. Meetings of youth and women delegates were held ahead of the main event. Vía Campesina is worldwide front comprised of 148 organizations and movements from 69 countries. 

Laureano Ponce reports from Buenos Aires. 

Argentina: Challenging the dominant ideology through culture

In Argentina, several academics, artists and activists have formed a group which looks to fight dominant ideologies through culture.

Laureano Ponce reports from Buenos Aires.

Argentine Parliament moves toward railway nationalization

Argentina's Parliament has approved a bill to create a new publicly owned company to operate the railroad system and return a strategic sector to the public domain. The railwayw were privatized under previous neoliberal administrations. The bill places emphasis on efficiency, which many have believed can only be achieved by private industry. Even the opposition voted for the bill, indicating overwhelming support for the measure and bringing the nationalization of the railways one step closer. 

Laureano Ponce reports from Buenos Aires for teleSUR.

Argentina Commemorates Anniversary of Malvinas War

Today, Argentina marks the anniversary of the 1982 Malvinas War with the United Kingdom and the British occupation of the disputed islands off the country's coast. London has recently reinforced its military presence in the Malvinas -which the British call the Falklands- claiming a possible threat from Argentina. Many feel Britain's interest in the Malvinas stems from the archipelago's geographical location as gateway to Antarctica and its immense natural resources. Latin America and the developing world as a whole back Argentina's claim to the Malvinas. 

Laureano Ponce reports from Buenos Aires.