after Javier Milei’s first economic measures, worried Argentines flock to the gas pumps

Among other measures, Javier Milei decided to halve the value of the Argentine peso, putting a little more strain on the Argentine budget.

At the entrance to a gas station in Buenos Aires, Argentina, around ten motorists are waiting in line. After 20 minutes of waiting, Clara finally goes to the checkout. “21,700 pesos! That’s 30% more than last time. It’s crazy!” “Fortunatelysaid Clara, this full should allow her to hold a good month”.

The increase is due to the devaluation of the peso announced this week by the government of Javier Milei.

The executive of the new Argentine president has in fact decided on the first emergency economic measures, in a recorded television message. Devaluation of more than 50% of the currency – the peso went from 360 to 800 per dollar -, halving of ministries, elimination of energy and transport subsidies… Ten measures to avoid a deeper crisis, justifies the Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo: “Our mission is to avoid hyperinflation. The origin of our problems has always been fiscal.”

“Politically, we have always been addicted to the deficit. Today, we are once again faced with a historic opportunity because, finally, a candidate has succeeded in making society understand that there was no more money in The boxes.”

Luis Caputo, Argentine Minister of Economy

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“Argentina is a country rich in natural and human resources. If we do the right thing, we can dream of once again becoming the great country that the whole world admired 100 years ago”assures Luis Caputo.

Queues all over the country

Since the devaluation, it’s the same scenario throughout the country. Everyone comes to stock up before a possible second wave of increase. It’s a new ordeal to endure in the hope of a better future, Sandra wants to believe: “It’s complicated because now we’re going to have to leave the car in the garage more often and take the bus. We have to see how much it will cost because they’re going to eliminate the transport subsidy ! But you have to hold on ! We hope things will get better and change.”

Not everyone shares Sandra’s optimism. This is not the case, for example, with Juan Carlos. “Gasoline was 350 pesos and today it’s almost 600, we pay doublethis house painter is indignant. That’s a lot, and our salary isn’t increasing, so it’s hard. Me, I have my tools, the paint and I necessarily have to take the car to work. We don’t know what’s going to happen, except that there will be more inflation, that everything will increase.”

“We can hardly be happy with the government because in four days, everything has already doubled!”

Juan Carlos, painter in Buenos Aires

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Gas stations, supermarkets, clothing stores… Everywhere, inflation is wild and excessive. If the government is to be believed, this would only be the beginning. The obstacle course begins for the Argentines.