International
Milei highlights the support of the IMF and the World Bank while denying devaluation pressures
Argentine President Javier Milei stressed the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to its Administration, revealed that Argentina is negotiating a new program with the Fund “to get the economy up and running” and categorically denied the alleged pressures of the body led by Kristalina Georgieva to devalue the peso.
“It is false that the IMF is asking (Luis) Caputo (Minister of Economy) to devalue,” Milei said in an interview on Tuesday with the Todo Noticias (TN) channel in which he referred to the conversations he had with the head of the Fund during the Global Summit on Peace in Ukraine held in Bürgenstock (Switzerland) on June 15 and 16.
“I didn’t talk to her about money,” he clarified.
Milei highlighted what he considered to be economic achievements of his Government. “We have been in financial balance for five months in a row” and “it’s been two months in which salaries and pensions (pensions) beat inflation,” he said.
In addition, he stressed that “wholesale inflation today is 3.5%,” compared to 54% when he assumed the Presidency, while mentioning a new agreement in the making with the International Monetary Fund, and celebrated that “the president of the World Bank decided to support Argentina.”
The president also defended the head of his government’s finances by stating that “(Luis) Caputo is the best Minister of Economy in the history of Argentina. No one is going to achieve Caputo’s achievements,” he said.
The Argentine head of state categorically denied the rumors about pressure from the IMF to devalue the currency.
“It is false that the IMF is asking Caputo to devalue.” However, he acknowledged the pending challenges: “The recovery will take time, but we are on the right track,” he said.
At the political level, Milei accused Kirchnerism of trying to destabilize his Government: “Kirchnerism is trying to strike a blow from the first moment,” he said without providing evidence in this regard.
Milei also reaffirmed his leadership and decision in the election of his cabinet. “I’m not going to touch any minister. I’m the boss,” he stressed.
During the interview, Milei announced that Federico Sturzenegger, former president of the Central Bank known for his liberal approach and architect of the Argentine president’s economic reform proposals, will be fully integrated into his Government.
In addition, he criticized figures who, according to him, misappropriate the papal representation: “There are people who take their representation and do not have it. It should not be sympathetic to Pope Francis that those who claim to protect the poor, steal from the poor,” he added.
Milei also referred to the political opposition and the legislative power, pointing out that “a senator earns more than twice as much” as he earns.
At the international level, the president highlighted his relations with far-right politicians. “We have an excellent link with Santiago Abascal (leader of the Spanish far-right Vox party), with the Bolsonaros, with (Giorgia) Meloni,” Italian Prime Minister, boasted.
In addition, he announced an upcoming visit to France: “Macron invited me to go to Paris. I’m going to Paris for the opening of the Olympic Games” and he also defended his official trips.
“I travel as many times as necessary for my work. How many were invited to be at the G7 table? (…), with my travels I put Argentina at the top,” he said.
In his interview with TN, Milei did not skim on criticism of the media and some journalists, whom he accused of lack of ethics. “There are many journalists who are very dirty,” he said.
Finally, the Argentine president recognized the challenges faced by his Administration
Central America
Peru’s ambassador highlights “historic bonds” with El Salvador on Independence Day
The Ambassador of Peru to El Salvador, Jorge Rosado La Torre, reaffirmed on Monday evening—during Peru’s Independence Day celebration—that Peru “maintains historic ties of friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect with El Salvador” and acknowledged “its firm willingness to continue deepening our bilateral relations.”
Rosado La Torre highlighted the strong relations between El Salvador and Peru at the ceremony held at the Palacio Tecleño de la Cultura y las Artes to mark the 204th Anniversary of Peru’s Independence, proclaimed on July 28, 1821.
“El Salvador and Peru share fundamental principles: respect for the rule of law, the promotion of human rights, multilateralism, and the defense of peace and democracy,” the diplomat said during the event, which was attended by diplomatic authorities, Salvadoran officials, members of the Peruvian community, and friends of Peru.
The ambassador also emphasized that Peru and El Salvador “are also united by cultural, social, and human bonds, which grow stronger every day through joint work and the connection between our societies.”
Rosado La Torre noted that Peru’s Independence Day “not only allows us to celebrate a national milestone but also to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and cooperation between our peoples.”
International
U.S. and China push for extension of tariff truce after “constructive” talks in Sweden
The United States and China “will continue working” to secure an extension of their tariff truce, China’s international trade representative Li Chenggang said Tuesday, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Li’s comments followed negotiations in Sweden with a U.S. delegation led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, describing the talks as “frank, in-depth, and constructive,” Xinhua reported.
The discussions aimed to prolong the 90-day pause negotiated in Geneva in May—set to expire on August 12—which temporarily ended the mutual retaliatory measures that had triggered punitive tariffs. The truce lowered customs duties on U.S. and Chinese goods from 125% and 145% respectively, to a more moderate 10% and 30%, on top of existing tariffs, ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House earlier this year.
The U.S. and Chinese delegations—led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice Premier He Lifeng—also exchanged views on key economic and trade issues and pledged to maintain close communication, Li added.
The talks in Sweden came at the start of a crucial week for Trump’s trade policy, as tariffs on most of the United States’ main trading partners are set for a sharp increase on August 1.
International
Trump administration opens civil rights probe into duke university over alleged bias
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump launched a formal investigation on Monday into Duke Universityand its law journal over alleged “discriminatory practices.”
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened the probe following complaints that Duke’s law review selection process allegedly awarded extra points to applicants who “referenced their race or ethnicity in their personal statements,” according to a statement from the department.
Based in North Carolina, Duke is the latest academic institution to come under scrutiny from the Republican administration, which has escalated an ideological battle against universities.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that higher education institutions have been “captured by the far left” and has taken action to sanction and ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs aimed at addressing social inequities in admissions and faculty hiring.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sent a joint letter to Duke’s leadership expressing concerns about the use of “racial criteria in hiring, admissions, and scholarship awards,” particularly within the university’s health system.
“I’m proud to partner with Secretary Kennedy to ensure Duke commits to excellence, integrity, and respect for the law in shaping the nation’s future leaders,” McMahon said.
“Granting illegal preferential treatment based on immutable characteristics is an affront not only to civil rights laws but also to the meritocratic nature of academic excellence,” she added.
The decision to investigate Duke comes just days after Columbia University agreed to pay a $200 million fine to settle accusations by the Trump administration of alleged antisemitism.
Peru’s ambassador highlights “historic bonds” with El Salvador on Independence Day
U.S. and China push for extension of tariff truce after “constructive” talks in Sweden
Trump administration opens civil rights probe into duke university over alleged bias
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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