Argentina buys F-16s
Why do I bother writing about this?
Consider the current poverty rate.
(AP) — Poverty levels skyrocketed to 57.4% of Argentina’s 46 million people in January, the highest rate in 20 years, according to a study by the Catholic University of Argentina.The findings quickly unleashed accusations between Argentina’s former Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and the government of President Javier Milei, who came to power announcing a series of shock measures aimed at tackling the country’s severe crisis.
What shock measures? He's a far-right libertarian.
Days after his inauguration, the former TV pundit began implementing his radical plan – he devalued the peso by 50 percent, slashed state subsidies for fuel and reduced the number of ministries by half.Though Milei has rowed back on campaign pledges to dollarise the economy and abolish the central bank, his initial moves have been welcomed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In January, the IMF signalled its support by disbursing $4.7bn in loans.
...
On December 20, Milei issued an emergency decree aimed at amplifying his deregulation push from the previous week.The mandate – which can only be used under “exceptional circumstances” – allows Milei to bypass Congress, where his party La Libertad Avanza holds just 38 of 257 seats (and seven of 72 seats in the Senate). As in the United States, legislation proceeds from the lower to the upper house.
That sounds suspiciously like what Yeltsin did in Russia.
So with poverty soaring, pensions wiped out by the devaluation, massive layoffs, what is Milei's priority?
On Tuesday the government of Argentina will formally sign the contract to purchase 24 U.S.-made, second-hand F-16 fighter jets. The combat aircraft are about 40 years old and are being sold by Denmark, which is going to replace them with the more modern F-35s. The decision by Argentina President Javier Milei to choose the American-made but used aircraft over China’s offer of new JF-17s with better weapons equipment was ultimately a geostrategic one: the United States is interested in stopping China’s advance in Latin America and Milei is interested in being appreciated as an unconditional partner of Washington and Israel.
Just another government that doesn't give a shit for its people.
Comments
Gen. Richardson Meets with President Milei
Some pertinent notes on the "deal"
Addendum: Bolding mine.
Please be well, and remember, Little pitchers have big ears.
Strange
that the Danes didn't gift the F-16s to Ukraine who needs them badly.
I guess our rulers didn't offer the Danes a good enough price break on the F-35s.
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
One wonders what Elensky, top ukie clown,
has said or will say about that. One thing we can be sure he won't do is bluster at the Danes 'cause he no gots nada to bluster with.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Hmm, another Yeltsin....
...I wonder what sort of person he'll wind up succeeded by?
In the Land of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is declared mentally ill for describing colors.
Yes Virginia, there is a Global Banking Conspiracy!
Haya! Thanks for the information, gj.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --