The Latin American Report # 711

Argentina

Amid strong tensions, the Argentine Senate finally approved yesterday, Friday, Javier Milei's controversial labor market reform, massively shaking a regulatory framework dating back to 1976. Popular sectors have rejected the move, considering it harms historical conquests in a country with a substantial union tradition. For example, the calculation basis for compensation is modified to the detriment of workers, and the right to strike is now considerably limited.

In fact, social conflict increased a lot because of the reform, and I foresee that it will continue at least in the immediate future. In another victory that highlights the reconfiguration—very favorable to the Executive—of the legislative power after the elections last October, the Pink House celebrated the passage of a law that lowers the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years, strongly marked by the motto "adult crime, adult punishment."

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"As of today, whoever has the capacity to understand the seriousness of their actions assumes, without exceptions, the responsibility to answer before the law. Adult crime, adult punishment," reads a statement from the presidential office, although prison sentences cannot exceed fifteen years. "Argentina closes a chapter of four decades of legislative inaction and updates a regulatory framework that remained disconnected from the criminal reality of the 21st century," the statement adds.

On Iran

From Balcarce 50, and in line with Milei's obsequiousness towards Trump and also his unconditional and sentimental alignment with Israel, officials have resolutely supported this Saturday the war started today by Americans and Israelis against Iran, under the deceptive label of "major combatant operations." "The Government of the Argentine Republic values and supports the joint actions carried out by the United States of America and the State of Israel aimed at neutralizing the threat that the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran represents for long-term international stability and security in the region," the Argentine chancellor stated in this regard.

Cuba

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Yesterday, Friday, the authorities of the Ministry of the Interior on the Island expanded their account about the fatal boat shooting that took place last Wednesday in national waters, where four Cuban-born individuals, coming from Florida, were killed by Cuban Border Guard Troops. Six more were injured and must be held in pretrial detention. "We were clearly able to assess that we were facing a terrorist action from a boat coming from the United States," a high-ranking Cuban security official told AP. "The military equipment found on board has been identified by the assailants, including where and how they acquired it, and the training they received. They also revealed who financed it," another official stressed to the U.S. cable agency.

Seized, among other supplies, were 14 assault and combat rifles, 11 pistols, 134 magazines, and nearly 12,900 rounds of ammunition of different calibers. I associate this activity with the pernicious effect of the overloaded propaganda promoted by different actors on social media, which takes its toll on individuals with poor cognitive defenses. "They always openly said that what Cuba needed was lead, meaning that the Cuban regime really had to be brought down through [military action]," said a political activist in Tampa about the ten fool daredevils.

Everything indicates that Washington is satisfied with the official Cuban version of events. Although Rubio said while in St. Kitts that they would conduct their own investigation, everything shows the ill-timed attack will not alter the dangerous bilateral context more than it already is, including any potential impact on any type of ongoing negotiation.

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Bolivia

What a tragic event there, with 22 people dead so far—a newborn among them—, some 30 injured and as many others repressed/detained after trying to collect or actually taking packets of money. The Central Bank President said the bills "have no legal value because they never entered circulation."

Bolivian authorities are scrambling to destroy what likely amounts to millions of dollars worth of local currency that suddenly fell from the sky in a deadly plane crash in the country’s second largest city. https://t.co/yzshZ7bo8Z

— Bloomberg (@business) February 28, 2026

Brazil

EFE reports that there are 70 people dead as a result of the heavy rains that have hit southeastern Brazil, with another three reported missing so far, after five days of searches. The town of Juiz de Fora, in the state of Minas Gerais, has been the most affected. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva assured today that "[they will mobilize] resources, emergency teams and assistance programs to guarantee shelter, food and immediate medical attention" after visiting Ubá, another affected locality. "I will not leave you alone," he reassured. I always question the weakness of civil defense systems in Latin America, with the astonishing exception of countries like Cuba, which, despite its chronic poverty, has a remarkable organizational culture in terms of disaster management.

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This is all for today's report.