Thousands of Faithful Bid Farewell to Pope Francis

Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88, is being held in St. Peter's Basilica where thousands of faithful come to pay their respects before his funeral, scheduled for Saturday.

The pontiff's body was transferred from Casa Santa Marta to the Basilica in a solemn procession led by the College of Cardinals. More than 20,000 people gathered in St. Peter's Square received the coffin with applause as it was carried down the steps of the Basilica.

During the opening ceremony, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, led a brief prayer thanking "the innumerable gifts he bestowed on the Christian people through his servant, Pope Francis" during his 12-year pontificate.

The funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals. Some 200,000 faithful and more than 150 international delegations are expected to attend, including numerous heads of state and government.

Although Pope Francis introduced some changes to traditional funeral protocol, mainly related to the coffin, the ceremony will maintain the characteristic solemnity with strict diplomatic and liturgical protocol.

After Mass, the late Pope's body will be transferred from St. Peter's Basilica to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for burial.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born in Buenos Aires in 1936, was elected pope on March 13, 2013, becoming the first Latin American pontiff in history.

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La deuda externa argentina ha experimentado un crecimiento sin precedentes desde la época de la dictadura militar, sin que este endeudamiento haya generado beneficios tangibles para su población. Este fenómeno está estrechamente relacionado con el modelo extractivista que los sucesivos gobiernos han impulsado con el objetivo de obtener las divisas necesarias para cumplir con los compromisos financieros internacionales.

Expertos advierten que contraer nuevos compromisos con el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI) profundizaría la entrega de bienes estratégicos y perpetuaría un ciclo de extractivismo, deterioro social y pérdida de soberanía nacional.

Intereses internacionales en recursos estratégicos

El interés de potencias como Francia en Argentina se centra principalmente en oportunidades de negocio vinculadas a la aprobación de acuerdos con el FMI, particularmente en sectores relacionados con los denominados "metales críticos". Esta aproximación se alinea con un modelo económico que prioriza la mercantilización, financiarización y extranjerización de recursos naturales como el litio y el uranio, bajo el discurso de la "transición energética".

Analistas comparan este mecanismo con una forma de extorsión, similar a las recientes exigencias internacionales de compensar ayuda militar con acceso a recursos minerales. La explotación de estos recursos en territorio argentino ha generado denuncias por violaciones de derechos y falta de participación democrática, como ocurre con la extracción de litio por empresas extranjeras en territorios de comunidades indígenas.

Un legado histórico cuestionado

Los conflictos actuales tienen raíces históricas que se remontan a la época colonial, cuando se estableció un patrón de deuda que fue posteriormente profundizado por los estados independientes. Figuras históricas como el General San Martín cuestionaron la legitimidad de las deudas coloniales, aunque la historia posterior muestra la imposición continua de nuevos compromisos financieros.

Durante el siglo XIX, los intereses de potencias como Gran Bretaña consolidaron un modelo económico dependiente de la exportación de productos primarios, incrementando simultáneamente las deudas históricas con los pueblos originarios y el medio ambiente.

El punto de inflexión de la dictadura

La dictadura militar instaurada en 1976 marcó un momento decisivo al insertar a Argentina en el sistema financiero global, estableciendo una conexión directa entre especulación financiera, endeudamiento y reprimarización económica. La rápida aprobación de un crédito del FMI tras el golpe de Estado fue interpretada como una señal de respaldo para la banca internacional.

El programa económico implementado durante este período, denunciado por periodistas como Rodolfo Walsh, resultó en lo que algunos economistas denominan "miseria planificada", caracterizada por cierre de industrias y aumento del desempleo. La deuda pública aumentó exponencialmente, incluyendo operaciones cuestionadas como el endeudamiento de empresas públicas y la posterior estatización de deudas privadas.

Crisis recurrentes y nuevo ciclo de endeudamiento

Tras el colapso económico de 2001, el modelo de especulación, extracción y endeudamiento ha persistido con la incorporación de nuevos actores financieros globales. Las consecuencias incluyen devastación ambiental, incremento de la pobreza y crecimiento sostenido de la deuda pública.

Críticos del sistema señalan como particularmente grave la operación financiera de 50.000 millones de dólares durante el gobierno de Mauricio Macri y las condiciones impuestas por el FMI, que según diversos análisis, perpetúan este ciclo. Alternativas como el canje de deuda por conservación ambiental son consideradas por muchos expertos como soluciones inadecuadas.

Ante el nuevo acuerdo con el FMI, economistas prevén un escenario de menor producción local, mayor pobreza y mayor presión sobre los recursos naturales. El objetivo primordial, según estas voces críticas, parece ser la obtención de divisas para mantener el ciclo de endeudamiento, aun a costa de mayor extranjerización y ajuste económico.

Los especialistas en economía y derechos humanos advierten sobre la urgencia de revisar la política de endeudamiento nacional para evitar lo que algunos analistas describen como un "sacrificio" de activos reales y recursos naturales en beneficio de acreedores externos.

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Tariff Trade War

The trade war that has marked the last decades has been a complex phenomenon, with repercussions that transcend borders and economies. At the heart of this conflict are tariffs, those tariffs that governments impose on imported goods, as a tool to protect their local industries and often as a means of putting pressure on other nations.

The term "trade war" was popularized in the context of tensions between the United States and China, but its roots run much deeper. Since the 2008 financial crisis, the world's economies have been in a state of uncertainty. Governments, in an attempt to stimulate growth, began to adopt protectionist policies. However, it was the election of Donald Trump in 2016 that ignited the spark of a large-scale conflict.

Trump, with his slogan "America First," argued that U.S. trade policies had led to deindustrialization and job losses. Thus, he began to impose tariffs on Chinese goods, arguing that China was manipulating its currency and stealing intellectual property. This was the start of a series of measures that triggered a response from Beijing, leading to an escalation of tariffs that affected thousands of products.

Global Impact

The trade war did not only affect the United States and China. Economies around the world began to feel the repercussions. The tariffs imposed on products such as steel and aluminum not only impacted exporting countries, but also increased costs for U.S. manufacturers who relied on these materials. Global supply chains, which had been optimized for decades, were disrupted, leading to an increase in prices and a decrease in competitiveness.

Financial markets also reacted volatilely. Uncertainty about the future of international trade caused fluctuations in stock markets, affecting investments and consumer confidence. Companies began to rethink their strategies, seeking to diversify their sources of supply and reduce their dependence on a single country.

The International Response

As the trade war intensified, other countries began to take sides. The European Union, Mexico and Canada, among others, responded to the U.S. tariffs with their own tariffs. This dynamic not only complicated bilateral relations, but also created an environment of mistrust and rivalry in international trade.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) became a battleground, with countries filing complaints and disputes over tariff policies. However, the WTO's ability to mediate and resolve these conflicts was limited, leading to a stalemate in negotiations and increased global tension.

The Beginning of the End

However, as the trade war progressed, signs began to emerge that this conflict might be coming to an end. The COVID-19 pandemic, which broke out in 2020, drastically altered the global economic landscape. Disruptions in supply chains and the need for international cooperation to face the health crisis led many leaders to reconsider their positions.

In this context, negotiations were held between the United States and China, resulting in the signing of "Phase One" of the trade agreement in January 2020. This agreement included commitments to purchase U.S. agricultural products by China and a commitment not to devalue its currency. Although it did not resolve all tensions, it was a step towards de-escalation.

Final Thoughts

The tariff trade war has left an indelible mark on the global economy. It has highlighted the interconnectedness of modern economies and the fragility of trade relations. As the world faces new challenges, such as climate change and health crises, the need for collaboration and mutual understanding becomes more pressing.

The beginning of the end of this trade war could be indicative of a broader shift in how nations approach trade. Cooperation could replace confrontation, and tariffs could be seen as a tool of the past in a world seeking more sustainable and equitable solutions.

Ultimately, the tariff trade war has taught us that while tensions may arise, economic interdependence is a reality that cannot be ignored. The future of international trade will depend on the ability of countries to work together, find common ground, and build a trading system that benefits all.

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The ratification by the Chamber of Deputies of the Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU) authorizing a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a significant event in the political and economic context of Argentina. These types of decisions tend to generate intense debates, as they involve financial commitments and adjustments that can affect broad sectors of society.

Legislative support, although not a law in itself, gives important institutional validation to the economic course that the ruling party seeks to implement. This reflects, in part, the correlation of political forces in Congress and the government's ability to achieve consensus, even if it is in a tight manner.

It is crucial to remember that agreements with the IMF are often accompanied by conditionalities that may include austerity measures, structural reforms, and fiscal adjustments. These policies are often controversial, as they can have profound social and economic impacts, especially on vulnerable sectors.

The phrase "Let's not forget who they are and what they vote for" seems to point to the political responsibility of legislators and their alignment with the interests of their constituents. In a context of economic crisis and high inflation, decisions related to the IMF are often viewed with skepticism by a part of the population, which can influence the public perception of political representatives and their votes.

In summary, this fact marks a milestone in the economic policy of the current government, but it also opens a space for debate on the costs and benefits of this type of agreement, as well as on the role of legislators in making decisions that affect the future of the country.

One by one, this is how the deputies voted on the DNU in agreement with the IMF

Afirmativo

129 

sabrina

ajmechet

PRO

lisandro

almirón

LLA

pablo

ansaloni

LLA

marcela

antola

DPS

damián

arabia

PRO

alberto gustavo

arancibia rodríguez

LLA

martín

ardohain

PRO

martín

arjol

UCR

alberto

arrúa

IF

belén

avico

PRO

jorge antonio

avila

EF

karina ethel

bachey

PRO

nancy

ballejos

PRO

karina

banfi

UCR

mario

barletta

UNIDOS

atilio

benedetti

UCR

beltrán

benedit

LLA

bertie

benegas lynch

LLA

gabriela

besana

PRO

emmanuel

bianchetti

PRO

rocío

bonacci

LLA

alejandro

bongiovanni

PRO

gabriel

bornoroni

LLA

victoria

borrego

CC-ARI

sofía

brambilla

PRO

gabriela

brouwer de koning

UCR

pamela

calletti

IF

marcela

campagnoli

CC-ARI

mariano

campero

UCR

sergio eduardo

capozzi

PRO

soledad

carrizo

UCR

pablo

cervi

UCR

gabriel felipe

chumpitaz

PRO

gerardo

cipolini

UCR

julio

cobos

UCR

facundo

correa llano

LLA

carlos

d'alessandro

LLA

rodrigo

de loredo

UCR

maría florencia

de sensi

PRO

romina

diez

LLA

agustín

domingo

IF

nicolás

emma

LLA

josé luis

espert

LLA

eduardo

falcone

MID

daiana

fernández molero

PRO

agustín

fernández

IND

carlos alberto

fernández

IF

elia marina

fernández

IND

maximiliano

ferraro

CC-ARI

alida

ferreyra

LLA

germana

figueroa casas

PRO

alejandro

finocchiaro

PRO

mónica

frade

CC-ARI

ignacio

garcía aresca

EF

carlos

garcía

LLA

ricardo

garramuño

SF

josé luis

garrido

PSC

melina

giorgi

DPS

silvana

giudici

PRO

álvaro

gonzález

PRO

gerardo gustavo

gonzález

LLA

carlos

gutiérrez

EF

gerardo

huesen

LLA

maría cecilia

ibañez

MID

fernando adolfo

iglesias

PRO

florencia

klipauka lewtak

LLA

luciano andrés

laspina

PRO

lilia

lemoine

LLA

osvaldo

llancafilo

MPN

mercedes

llano

LLA

juan manuel

lópez

CC-ARI

silvia

lospennato

PRO

lorena

macyszyn

LLA

martín

maquieyra

PRO

nadia

márquez

LLA

álvaro

martínez

LLA

nicolás

mayoraz

LLA

gladys

medina

IND

gerardo

milman

PRO

guillermo

montenegro

LLA

francisco

monti

UCR

francisco

morchio

EF

julio

moreno ovalle

LLA

maría de los ángeles

moreno

PyT

lisandro

nieri

UCR

josé luis

nuñez

PRO

paula

oliveto lago

CC-ARI

paula

omodeo

CREO

emilia

orozco

LLA

pablo

outes

IF

marcela marina

pagano

LLA

santiago

pauli

LLA

josé luis

peluc

LLA

luis albino

picat

UCR

miguel ángel

pichetto

EF

nancy viviana

picón martínez

PyT

carolina

píparo

LLA

juan carlos

polini

DPS

maría celeste

ponce

LLA

fabio josé

quetglas

UCR

manuel

quintar

LLA

marilú

quiroz

PRO

verónica

razzini

PRO

roxana

reyes

UCR

cristian a.

ritondo

PRO

jorge

rizzotti

DPS

laura

rodríguez machado

PRO

ana clara

romero

PRO

yamila

ruíz

IF

javier

sánchez wrba

PRO

roberto antonio

sánchez

UCR

juliana

santillán juárez brahim

LLA

diego

santilli

PRO

santiago

santurio

LLA

natalia silvina

sarapura

UCR

maría

sotolano

PRO

alejandra

torres

EF

anibal

tortoriello

PRO

josé federico

tournier

UCR

césar

treffinger

LLA

daniel

vancsik

IF

patricia

vásquez

PRO

yolanda

vega

IF

pamela fernanda

verasay

UCR

maría eugenia

vidal

PRO

lorena

villaverde

LLA

martín

yeza

PRO

oscar

zago

MID

carlos raúl

zapata

LLA

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Inflation rose to 2.4% in February and accumulated 66.9% in twelve months

Prices rose above January's 2.2%. The increases in tariffs and food and beverages were the ones that had the most impact.

The cost of living was 2.4% in February, up from 2.2% in January, and in twelve months they accumulated a 66.9% increase.

The division with the highest increase in the month was Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (3.7%), due to increases in Housing rent and related expenses and Electricity, gas and other fuels.

It was followed by Food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.2%), mainly due to increases in Meat and derivatives.

The division that registered the highest incidence in all regions was Food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.2%), due to the increases in Meat and derivatives.

Thus, the great driver for the acceleration of the consumer price index (CPI) was the meat item.

The two divisions that registered the lowest variations in February 2025 were Household Equipment and Maintenance (1.0%) and Clothing and Footwear (0.4%).

At the category level, core CPI (2.9%) led the increase, followed by Regulated (2.3%), while Seasonal prices registered a decrease of 0.8%.

INDEC detailed the monthly variations in each region of Argentina.

 Patagonia was the one that registered the highest number: 3.2%.

Cuyo (2.7%), Northwest (2.6%) and the Pampas Region (2.5%) were also above the national total.

Below that level were Greater Buenos Aires (2.2%) and the Northeast (1.9%).

The nationwide data is known two days after February inflation in the City registered a sharp drop. It was 2.1%.

In that case, the decline was largely explained by a seasonal factor, the 4.8% drop in tourism-related services, and despite the sharp increase in meat prices.

Thus, it accumulates in the first two months of the year a rise of 5.3% and a year-on-year trajectory of 79.4%, according to the Buenos Aires Institute of Statistics and Censuses.

The BCRA's latest Market Expectations Survey (REM) had forecast retail inflation of 2.3% in February and 2.2% in March.

The report published every month by the Central Bank, which in this case compiled the forecasts of 39 Argentine and foreign consultants, thus broke a trend of downward projections that began with the administration of Javier Milei.

For the first time during the current government, the REM registered a projection of higher inflation for the immediate future.

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Desperate search for Liam Gael Flores Soraire, a 3-year-old boy who disappeared in Ballesteros Sud

Authorities and community mobilized to find the minor, whose whereabouts have been unknown since Saturday.

Ballesteros Sud, Córdoba – The disappearance of Liam Gael Flores Soraire, a 3-year-old boy, has shocked the town of Ballesteros Sud. Since Saturday, February 22, the authorities and neighbors have been working tirelessly to find him. The minor was last seen in a rural property where he lives with his family, on the outskirts of the town.

What is known so far?

Liam lives in a rural area inhabited by several families of Bolivian origin who work in a brick cutter. According to the Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF), the boy was last seen on Saturday afternoon, dressed in blue shorts, barefoot and bare-chested. She is approximately 90 centimeters tall, has a brown complexion and short black hair.

The authorities do not rule out any hypothesis and are working on multiple lines of investigation to clarify what happened. Prosecutor Isabel Reyna, in charge of the case, has requested the collaboration of the community to find the minor.

Intensified search operation

The operation to find Liam's whereabouts includes a wide deployment of security forces and technological resources. Bell Ville Volunteer Firefighters, members of the Union Department, agents of the Department of High Risk Units (Duar) and the Rural Patrol participate. In addition, 57 firefighters from regional 2 have joined, who carry out rakes in mountain areas, open fields, irrigation canals and rural roads.

To expand the search in hard-to-reach areas, authorities are using drones and sniffer dogs. Security Minister Juan Pablo Quinteros and Deputy Police Chief Antonio Urquiza personally oversee the operations.

How to collaborate

Authorities are urgently calling on the community to provide any information that may help locate Liam. The data can be communicated through the following channels:

• 911 (Emergencies)
• 101 (Police)
• Bell Ville Prosecutor's Office: 03537 450010 – 450013
• Any nearby police or judicial headquarters.

The dissemination of information is crucial. Any detail, no matter how small it may seem, could be key to finding the child.

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Two major U.S. investment banks, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America, published reports on Argentina's macroeconomic scenario and its outlook for the financial market in 2025. Both agreed on the importance of the country reaching a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to advance in a gradual process of eliminating the exchange rate clamp.

Morgan Stanley Outlook

The Morgan Stanley report  warned that Argentina'  s current account showed signs of deterioration in the second half of 2024. However, he noted that a surplus in the financial account could make up for this shortfall. The IMF projected an initial disbursement of USD 5 billion by the IMF in 2025, as part of a program that could reach USD 20 billion, subject to compliance with fiscal and monetary conditions.

According to the analysis, the elimination of exchange restrictions will be progressive and will depend on the accumulation of international reserves. Morgan Stanley estimated that Argentina's central bank (BCRA) could increase its net reserves by USD 7 billion during the year, which would provide room for further flexibility in foreign exchange market access.

Bank of America Analysis

For its part, Bank of America highlighted that the  Argentine government's fiscal adjustment strategy  made it possible to reduce country risk and improve access to external financing. The bank agreed with the expectation of an agreement with the IMF in the first half of 2025, specifically before April. In addition, it projected that initial disbursements could range between USD 5,000 and USD 10,000 million, which would strengthen the BCRA's position.

Accumulation of reserves and exit strategy from the clamps

Morgan Stanley analyzed in detail the relationship between exchange rate policy and reserve accumulation. According to its projections, the  country's financial account could generate a surplus of USD 9,800 million in 2025, driven by disbursements from multilateral organizations, corporate financing and purchases of foreign currency by the private sector.

In this scenario, the exit from the exchange clamp would take place in a staggered manner. The entity projected that the Government would advance in the normalization of the payment of imports and in the flexibility of access to the financial dollar. However, it would maintain restrictions on the purchase of foreign currency by individuals and companies until reserves reach an adequate level.

Agreement with the IMF and access to international credit

Bank of America stressed that the success of the economic program underway will depend on the government's ability to negotiate a new agreement with the IMF. This agreement would allow debt payments to be refinanced and fiscal sustainability to be improved.

Morgan Stanley also emphasized that the relationship with the IMF is decisive for the evolution of country risk. If the government manages to advance in a new program with credible fiscal and monetary targets, sovereign bonds could continue their upward trend, improving financing conditions.

However, the Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, referred to the market speculation about the agreement with the IMF. On his X account  (formerly Twitter), he ironized: "Nothing that is being said about the agreement with the Fund is correct. It's hard to miss everything, but they're succeeding!".

Risks and challenges for the economic program

Both banks identified several risks that could affect Argentina's economic and financial stability in 2025. Among the main factors of uncertainty were:

1. Delays in the negotiation with the IMF, which could generate tensions in the debt market.
2. An insufficient level of international reserves, which would make it difficult to get out of the exchange clamp in an orderly manner.
3. A context of real appreciation of the peso, which could harm the competitiveness of exports.
4. External shocks that affect access to financing, also related to exchange rate appreciation.

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Voracious fire in Epuyén (Chubut).

A fierce forest fire in Epuyén, where hundreds of people had to be evacuated and several houses were destroyed. High temperatures and wind gusts of up to 70 km/h made containment work difficult.

The evacuation of hundreds of people and the destruction of several homes. High temperatures and strong winds have hampered firefighters' efforts to contain the fire. Among the evacuees is Mayor José Contreras, who also had to leave his home due to the advance of the fire.

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Amnesty International's Harsh Report on Anti-Picketing Protocol: "Dissent at Risk"

Amnesty International (AI) presented a report on Thursday in which it denounced the "disproportionate" use of force by the government of Javier Milei in response to the demonstrations. According to the organization, the federal security forces followed a repressive pattern based on the "anti-picket protocol" promoted by Minister Patricia Bullrich.

What Amnesty International's report says

According to AI, the report on the repression of social protest yielded alarming figures: during 15 demonstrations, 1,155 people were injured, many of them seriously injured. Of these, 33 were hit in the head or face by rubber bullets, which caused severe damage to their vision. In addition, 50 journalists were injured while covering the protests.

In total, 73 people were "criminalized" for participating in the demonstrations. The report details that documented repressive practices include the abusive use of tear gas, rubber bullets, water trucks, batons and batons, and arbitrary detentions. "In emblematic cases, children were even affected by repressive violence," the organization's text said.

Paola García Rey, deputy director of Amnesty International, explained that the report reveals a clear restriction on the exercise of freedom of expression "in the streets" and a "shrinking of civic space."

Regarding the data that support the report, García Rey pointed out that the organization resorted to various methodologies, such as requests for access to public information from the national state, which were in many cases "denied by the Ministry of Security of the Nation."

 30 testimonies of victims who suffered the disproportionate use of force. We also survey images because, now, social networks enable much more dissemination," he explained.

In this sense, he stressed the importance of making violence visible, assuring that "giving an account of the situation of alarm in the face of violence" seeks to highlight how force is used to restrict dissent and "silence voices". Amnesty's representative in Argentina also stressed that, although the country "has a very active use of the street," this does not justify the government's repressive response.

"Without a doubt, Argentina has a very active use of the street and, surely, it was necessary to have a robust debate on the channeling of popular demands to the Government. But the answer can never be fear as a way to inhibit expression and violence as a strategy to achieve it," he said.

Meanwhile, the organization considers that the repression of protests not only infringes fundamental rights, but also generates an inhibitory effect on citizen participation and the exercise of democracy.

Recommendations to the national government

By way of conclusion, the report concludes with a series of recommendations to Milei's government. "Amnesty International urges the Argentine government to adopt concrete measures that guarantee respect for human rights in the context of social protests," the text emphasizes.

Among these measures, the repeal of the anti-picketing protocol  stands out, a regulation that, according to the organization, "not only violates fundamental human rights, but also contributes to the criminalization of those who demonstrate." In addition, they urge the implementation of police regulations and trainings that align with international standards on the right to peaceful assembly and the use of force.

"The use of force by the authorities must be framed by principles of proportionality and respect for human rights," the report concludes

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Police

Investigation into the suspicious death of a federal judge who intervened in a case linked to Los Monos

This is Pablo Seró, who was in charge of the case of the kidnapping of businessman Gastón Tallone. Prosecutor María Occhi is considering the hypothesis of suicide, but there is still a need for expert reports to be carried out

The Entre Ríos Police are investigating the suspicious death of Federal Judge Pablo Andrés Seró, who died this morning when he fell from the terrace of a building in the city of Concepción del Uruguay. He is the magistrate who intervened in the case of the kidnapping and disappearance of businessman Gastón Tallone, linked to the drug gang Los Monos.

According to local media reports, the tragic event occurred after 10 a.m. on Thursday in the Antares building, located at 600 General Galarza Street, right at the intersection with Eva Duarte de Perón.

Sources from the provincial Ministry of Security consulted by Infobae explained that, so far, the main and only hypothesis being considered by the team of prosecutor María Occhi, who was on duty at the time of the event, is that of death by self-determination. However, the results of the experts will be awaited to confirm the circumstances in which the Seró fell into the void.

According to what this media was able to find out, his mother currently resides in the building from where Seró fell, who was not at home at the time of the event.

Seró, 55, head of the Federal Court of Concepción del Uruguay, died on the spot as a result of the serious injuries he suffered after falling into the void.

One of the heaviest cases being handled in his court was that of the kidnapping of Tallone. For that case, Gustavo Juliá, who served a 13-year prison sentence for drug trafficking in Spain, had been arrested ten days ago. He is the son of Brigadier José Juliá, head of the Argentine Air Force during the presidency of Carlos Saúl Menem

The kidnapping of the port businessman from Entre Ríos occurred in Almagro, but it has connections with his work in that area and with the Los Monos gang. Juliá Jr. owns one of the cars that executed the criminal maneuver.

The kidnapping would have been, as suspected, for a debt of 500,000 dollars with that organized crime group.

According to documents in the case accessed by Infobae, lawyer José Uriburu, linked to Los Monos, would have made the first extortion call to Tallone's family to claim that money: "Good night cumpa, the thing is short. The thief is here with us and he's fine. Or they return the drugs and the 500 thousand dollars that he stole and everything ends and he comes back, he stole from all the narcos and now it's time to pay. If you beat the cane, we will go down and go for all of you and your helpers. You don't with the mafia," he reportedly said.

The clarification of the case is in charge of prosecutors Josefina Minata and Santiago Marquevich, of the Specialized Prosecutorial Unit in Organized Crime. The Federal Court of Concepción del Uruguay had prosecuted the lawyer Uriburu and an alleged deliverer of the businessman.

Who was Judge Pablo Seró

Born on May 23, 1969 in the town of Goya in Corrientes, Dr. Seró graduated as a lawyer from the National University of the Northeast in 1994 and took office in 2012 as head of the Federal Court of Concepción del Uruguay, from where he worked in public office with all federal crimes in the city and the area.

The magistrate, a reference of the Entre Ríos Justice, knew how to be linked to causes of great public interest, including the investigation of the alleged Iranian citizen who presented himself as Asan Azad, arrested in June 2022 without personal documentation when he tried to buy a ticket in Concepción del Uruguay with an Argentine ID of another person.

The personnel of the Entre Ríos Police work at the scene together with the Criminalistics Division. Sources in the case told this newspaper that, as of after 1:30 p.m., investigators had not yet been able to find Seró's cell phone.

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