Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
At least two terms arose from Argentina's economic crisis:
el corralito
(a small enclos-
ure) refers to the cap placed on cash withdrawals from bank accounts during 'La Crisis';
while
cacerolazo
(from the word
cacerola
, meaning pan) is a street protest in which
angry people bang pots and pans.
The Trials & Tribulations of Cristina
When Néstor Kirchner stepped aside in favor of his wife's candidacy for the presidential
race, many started wondering: would 'Queen Cristina' (as she's often called, due to her
regal comportment) be just a puppet for her husband, who intended to rule behind the
scenes?
Weak opposition and her husband's enduring clout were some of the reasons for
Cristina's clear-cut victory, despite the lack of straightforward policies during her cam-
paign. While this was not the first time Argentina had had a female head of state (Isabel
Perón held a brief presidency by inheriting her husband's term), Cristina was the first
woman to be elected president by popular vote in Argentina. As a lawyer and senator she
has often been compared to Hillary Clinton; as a fashion-conscious political figure with a
penchant for chic dresses and designer bags, she also evokes memories of Evita.
Cristina's tumultuous presidency has been laced with scandals, unpopular decisions
and roller-coaster approval ratings. In March 2008 she significantly raised the export tax
on soybeans, infuriating farmers, who soon went on strike and blockaded highways. In
June 2009 Kirchner's power base was shattered during the mid-term elections, when her
ruling party lost its majority in both houses of Congress. Soon after, she enacted an un-
popular law set to break apart Clarín, a media conglomerate that often reflected unfavor-
ably on her presidency. All the while, Argentina has been hounded by inflation that has
been unofficially estimated at up to 25%.
Unlike your typical politician, Amado Boudou - Cristina Kirchner's vice president -
drives a Harley-Davidson and jams with his band on a Fender guitar. But like your typic-
al politician, he's been accused of embezzlement and money laundering.
Her presidency has seen some positive sides. The economy grew strongly during the
first part of her tenure, bolstered by high consumer spending and strong demand for the
country's agricultural exports and manufactured goods. In a true Peronist vein, Cristina
implemented a wide range of social programs to beef up the pension system, benefit im-
poverished children and help fight cases related to crimes against humanity. And in July
