Argentina today, what's the deal?

A word on the economy

Even though Argentina is blessed with numerous natural resources, the IMF's prediction for 2015 is a drop in the GDP of 1.3 points, due to increasing inflation and a depreciation of its domestic currency. But don't let that put you off taking a trip to Argentina.

Retired people and those reliant on social security have been the hardest hit by the inflation rate. Although the population is pessimistic about the future, there is a glimmer of hope that things will change in 2016, after the next presidential election.

The country is being stifled by foreign debt and will have to renegotiate its terms in the near future.

Recent headlines

2015 arrived along with scandal, when the death of Alberto Nisman, the Public Prosecutor, was announced. He was investigating the current President and her suspected involvement in the 1994 terrorist attack against the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina, which led to the death of 85 Jews.

The Prime Minister, Arnado Boudou, was accused of influence peddling with a private company, a scandal that became known as Boudougate. He's the first Prime Minister to be accused of a crime since Argentina became a democracy. These scandals are likely to jeopardise the next government as the current President is not allowed to stand for re-election. The next elections are due in October 2015. 2016 could see a change in the country's fortunes, which could make a trip to Argentina even more attractive.

In recent times, drug-related violence has become a problem; the number of cases is increasing and touching previously calm areas, such as Rosario and parts of Buenos Aires Gang warfare is on the rise. What's more there's suspected police involvement. The current situation even led the Pope to make calls for peace and ask the government to take adequate steps to rectify its problems.

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Hernán Piñera