Javier Milei has been elected president of Argentina: Madman or genius?
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Milei goes apocalyptic
The government's Official version is that the departure was due to "differences" over the timing of implementing a new Consumer Price Index (CPI), based on an updated 2017/18 consumption basket instead of the 2004/05 one, which is considered obsolete. Lavagna wanted to apply it in January 2026, but Minister Luis Caputo postponed it "until disinflation is consolidated," arguing that it gives "practically the same" results and avoids confusion.
The opposition and critical analysts interpret this as an intervention or manipulation to avoid showing higher inflation, as was done during the Kirchner era.
Is Milei really doing well or badly? Perhaps only ordinary Argentinians know the answer to that question, rather than the reality that the government wants to portray. According to data compiled by Grok, these would be the main indicators that Milei is doing well.
● Inflation:
It has fallen dramatically since the peaks of 2024. The CPI for December 2025 was -0.6% monthly (mild deflation), and the year-on-year figure is much lower than the 200-300% of 2024. The government highlights disinflation as a key achievement.
● Poverty:
First half of 2025: 31.6% (sharp decline vs. 52.9% in the second half of 2024, the initial post-devaluation peak).
Third quarter of 2025 (official estimate by the Ministry of Human Capital based on INDEC): 26.9% (year-on-year decline of ~11 points).
Extreme poverty: ~6% in the same period.
This represents the lowest poverty rate since the end of 2018, according to independent checks. The government celebrates that millions have been lifted out of poverty since the peak in 2024.
● Unemployment:
Official rate ~6.6% in the third quarter of 2025 (down, but there is growing concern about underemployment and informal employment).
● Economic activity:
There has been a partial recovery after the 2024 recession, although sectors such as industry and construction remain hard hit.
Someone is telling lies.
But moving on to serious matters, Argentinians are currently debating whether Milei's claims about inflation are embellished or manipulated.
In early 2026, there was a scandal over the delay in updating the CPI basket (which was supposed to take effect in 2025 but was postponed). This led to resignations, such as that of Marco Lavagna at INDEC (February 02) and criticism of manipulation or doctoring of figures to hide inflation increases due to the restructuring of tariffs and services. The government argued that it was to consolidate disinflation and maintain credibility.
For economist Felix Schmidt , Lavagna's resignation was mainly due to his disagreement with Milei, who allegedly ordered the manipulation of figures to demonstrate the success of libertarianism to the world.
In early 2026, there was a scandal over the delay in updating the CPI basket (which was supposed to take effect in 2025 but was postponed). This led to resignations, such as that of Marco Lavagna at INDEC (February 02) and criticism of manipulation or doctoring of figures to hide inflation increases due to the restructuring of tariffs and services. The government argued that it was to consolidate disinflation and maintain credibility.
For economist Felix Schmidt , Lavagna's resignation was mainly due to his disagreement with Milei, who allegedly ordered the manipulation of figures to demonstrate the success of libertarianism to the world.
The government's Official version is that the departure was due to "differences" over the timing of implementing a new Consumer Price Index (CPI), based on an updated 2017/18 consumption basket instead of the 2004/05 one, which is considered obsolete. Lavagna wanted to apply it in January 2026, but Minister Luis Caputo postponed it "until disinflation is consolidated," arguing that it gives "practically the same" results and avoids confusion.
The opposition and critical analysts interpret this as an intervention or manipulation to avoid showing higher inflation, as was done during the Kirchner era.
Is Milei really doing well or badly? Perhaps only ordinary Argentinians know the answer to that question, rather than the reality that the government wants to portray. According to data compiled by Grok, these would be the main indicators that Milei is doing well.
● Inflation:
It has fallen dramatically since the peaks of 2024. The CPI for December 2025 was -0.6% monthly (mild deflation), and the year-on-year figure is much lower than the 200-300% of 2024. The government highlights disinflation as a key achievement.
Milei's far-right miracle: manipulating figures
Between 2023 and 2025, official inflation in Argentina stood at 249.5%, but in reality it was 288.2%.
That's +15.5% more real inflation.
In other words, people on the street lost almost 16% more purchasing power than they had already lost. To put this figure into context, it's important to understand that Milei cut the minimum wage, removed social guarantees, and laid off thousands of people.
● Poverty:
First half of 2025: 31.6% (sharp decline vs. 52.9% in the second half of 2024, the initial post-devaluation peak).
Third quarter of 2025 (official estimate by the Ministry of Human Capital based on INDEC): 26.9% (year-on-year decline of ~11 points).
Extreme poverty: ~6% in the same period.
This represents the lowest poverty rate since the end of 2018, according to independent checks. The government celebrates that millions have been lifted out of poverty since the peak in 2024.
They compared the price of typical meals in Argentina since Milei took office and today: rampant inflation that hits the pocketbook.
That real data destroys the absurd and cruel narrative that "he lifted 20 million people out of poverty." The reality hurts, and the lie is outrageous.
● Unemployment:
Official rate ~6.6% in the third quarter of 2025 (down, but there is growing concern about underemployment and informal employment).
● Economic activity:
There has been a partial recovery after the 2024 recession, although sectors such as industry and construction remain hard hit.
Someone is telling lies.
I think Milei is actually lying about Argentina's economic situation and that his officials are manipulating the economic figures.
● Milei wants his ICE
Another issue that is causing debate is the formation of "Agencia de Seguridad Migratoria", popularly known as "ICE criollo" or "Argentine ICE."
The current Minister of Security, Alejandra Monteoliva, confirmed that progress is being made in its final formation under the name "Immigration Security Agency" and that it will be different from the U.S. ICE: it will not involve mass raids against migrants in general, but rather will prioritize security threats and will have police powers, criminal intelligence capabilities, and a presence at all Argentine borders.
For now, the police are there to stop the riots caused by those Milei calls "zurdos de mierda."
In Argentina, critical unemployment situations have been reported in recent years (and early 2026), with hundreds or thousands of people lining up for several blocks to apply for very few jobs. This is the most recent case.
● Milei wants his ICE
Another issue that is causing debate is the formation of "Agencia de Seguridad Migratoria", popularly known as "ICE criollo" or "Argentine ICE."
The current Minister of Security, Alejandra Monteoliva, confirmed that progress is being made in its final formation under the name "Immigration Security Agency" and that it will be different from the U.S. ICE: it will not involve mass raids against migrants in general, but rather will prioritize security threats and will have police powers, criminal intelligence capabilities, and a presence at all Argentine borders.
For now, the police are there to stop the riots caused by those Milei calls "zurdos de mierda."
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Re: the economy, I think that's definitely true. They cook the numbers to make them look good, but most people are seeing "inflation without inflation". That is, a reality that doesn't match the numbers. It's very sad. And to think how Milei's handlers (I doubt it was him) managed to fool smart people like Tucker to promote him back then...
Jornadas de 12 horas, despido sin indemnización y reducción del derecho a huelga: la reforma laboral de Milei que precariza a los argentinos
Las protestas sindicales se extienden a las afueras de la Asamblea, que debate este miércoles la reforma | Cadena SER
cadenaser.com
Translated: Jornadas de 12 horas, despido sin indemnización y reducción del derecho a huelga: la reforma laboral de Milei que precariza a los argentinos
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