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Argentina's central bank boss Luis Caputo quits after three months | Argentina's central bank boss Luis Caputo quits after three months |
(35 minutes later) | |
The head of Argentina's central bank has resigned amid reports of a row over policies to restore confidence in the country's ailing economy. | The head of Argentina's central bank has resigned amid reports of a row over policies to restore confidence in the country's ailing economy. |
Luis Caputo had only held the post since June, and the surprise resignation sent the peso falling further against the US dollar. | Luis Caputo had only held the post since June, and the surprise resignation sent the peso falling further against the US dollar. |
A statement said he quit for personal reasons and will be replaced by deputy economics minister Guido Sandleris. | A statement said he quit for personal reasons and will be replaced by deputy economics minister Guido Sandleris. |
Argentina is finalising a $50bn bailout from the International Monetary Fund. | Argentina is finalising a $50bn bailout from the International Monetary Fund. |
With Argentina in recession, interest rates at 60%, and the peso's value halving this year, the country needs the IMF loan to bolster confidence in the economy. | With Argentina in recession, interest rates at 60%, and the peso's value halving this year, the country needs the IMF loan to bolster confidence in the economy. |
President Mauricio Macri is in New York this week for a United Nations meeting, but was due to meet Wall Street financiers and potential investors. | President Mauricio Macri is in New York this week for a United Nations meeting, but was due to meet Wall Street financiers and potential investors. |
When Mr Caputo, a former finance minister, was appointed three months ago, there were questions about the government's commitment to the central bank's independence. | When Mr Caputo, a former finance minister, was appointed three months ago, there were questions about the government's commitment to the central bank's independence. |
A statement from the bank said: "This resignation is due to personal reasons, with the conviction that a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund will re-establish confidence in the fiscal, financial, monetary and exchange rate situation." | A statement from the bank said: "This resignation is due to personal reasons, with the conviction that a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund will re-establish confidence in the fiscal, financial, monetary and exchange rate situation." |
However, the news sparked a further 4% fall in the peso, while the country's main share market fell more than 5% at the open. | However, the news sparked a further 4% fall in the peso, while the country's main share market fell more than 5% at the open. |
Argentina's Ambito Financiero financial newspaper reported that there may have been differences between Mr Caputo and finance minister Nicolas Dujovne. It is thought that Mr Caputo did not play a central role in the IMF negotiations. | Argentina's Ambito Financiero financial newspaper reported that there may have been differences between Mr Caputo and finance minister Nicolas Dujovne. It is thought that Mr Caputo did not play a central role in the IMF negotiations. |
Last week the government announced that Argentina's economy shrank by 4.2% in the second quarter, its sharpest quarterly contraction since 2014. | Last week the government announced that Argentina's economy shrank by 4.2% in the second quarter, its sharpest quarterly contraction since 2014. |
The decline was accompanied by a steep fall in exports, after a drought hurt the country's agricultural sector. | The decline was accompanied by a steep fall in exports, after a drought hurt the country's agricultural sector. |
Analysis: Daniel Gallas, BBC South America business correspondent | Analysis: Daniel Gallas, BBC South America business correspondent |
These are crucial days for the future of Argentina. | These are crucial days for the future of Argentina. |
The country's currency is suffering from a major confidence crisis that could potentially be averted if the government secures backing from the IMF and pushes through with some of its economic reforms. | The country's currency is suffering from a major confidence crisis that could potentially be averted if the government secures backing from the IMF and pushes through with some of its economic reforms. |
But questions have also been raised about lack of leadership. | But questions have also been raised about lack of leadership. |
Mr Macri has been criticised for announcing the IMF deal on television last month before it was actually negotiated in Washington. | Mr Macri has been criticised for announcing the IMF deal on television last month before it was actually negotiated in Washington. |
There are reports of backstage disputes within his economic team, which gained traction with the resignation of Mr Caputo. | There are reports of backstage disputes within his economic team, which gained traction with the resignation of Mr Caputo. |
While the deal is not finalised, markets are operating more on rumours than on news. Some say Argentina could get extra funds from the IMF. | While the deal is not finalised, markets are operating more on rumours than on news. Some say Argentina could get extra funds from the IMF. |
Meanwhile, the opposition is gathering support in the streets with a 24-hour strike on Tuesday that could be just a taste of what lies ahead for Argentina. |
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