Argentine Mondays: September 25th, 2017

Welcome to Argentine Mondays, your weekly update on what happened in Argentina while you were otherwise engaged over the weekend. Sit back and enjoy while the week gets into gear

An apology from the writer

Due to tendinitis in my dominant hand, I'm sorry to report that I am unable to type up the entire AM newsletter in time for it to be relevant for you. The doctor said no writing for two to three weeks, but hopefully by next week you will have the full newsletter in your inbox as usual!

I profusely apologise for any inconvenience caused: however, I've managed to painstakingly type the following "what to look out for this week" with my left hand. Hope it's useful and happy Monday!

A suggestion

Since I don't need my hand to talk, if you want an update on Argentine news make sure to tune into Plus Five Four this week, the Argentine podcast with something for everyone, uploaded every Thursday with a general update on what's going on.

What to look out for this week

Wednesday marks the beginning of a trial against former Minister of Planning and Public Investment Minister Julio De Vido regarding what's known as the "Once (11 in Spanish) Tragedy" — the 2012 Buenos Aires railway disaster in which 51 people were killed and 789 injured. This case is a high-profile one and set to dominate headlines as there are renewed calls for his parliamentary privileges (fueros) to be revoked. De Vido has several other cases against him and two former Secretaries of Transport were sentenced to 6 and 8 years in jail over the Once Tragedy.
The family of Santiago Maldonado has called for a march this Sunday (October 1st) to mark two months since his disappearance. The 28-year-old was last seen on August 1st, when Border Patrol (gendarmería) forcefully evicted a protest held by the Mapuche indigenous tribe and his disappearance has become highly politicized. This is not the last that you will read about Santiago Maldonado.
Over the weekend, thousands of students protested against proposed educational reforms in the City of Buenos Aires, marching outside the Education Ministry and taking over at least 28 schools around the city. The issue has become a hot topic, particularly in debates around the legislative elections coming up on October 22nd, with Justice Minister Germán Garavano and former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner weighing in on the matter. Talks have already failed and mayor Horacio Rodríguez Larreta has confirmed that the reforms are to go ahead, so the standoff is set to continue (with no school for those involved). Stay tuned!