Following a Senate defeat on the Private Property bill, President Javier Milei's administration is recalibrating its legislative strategy. Key developments include record YPF profits, the sale of Metrogas to Edenor, a new fee system for foreigners at national hospitals, and a show of solidarity with Colombia after a devastating earthquake.

Political Reorganization After Senate Setback

The government of Javier Milei is in a phase of restructuring its legislative agenda following setbacks in the Upper House regarding the Inviolability of Private Property Law. The political table met on August 11, 2026 at the Casa Rosada, with the presence of the Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation, Federico Sturzenegger, who outlined the upcoming projects to be promoted, with the capital markets bill being the first in line.

Presidential spokesperson Adrián Ravier defended Sturzenegger, calling him a key piece for restoring the country's competitiveness, amid internal criticism following the withdrawal of chapters on land sales to foreigners and fire management.

Controversy Over SisVial Funds

The use of funds from the SisVial trust fund (a national road infrastructure trust) to achieve fiscal balance sparked a strong clash. Deputy Marcela Pagano filed a criminal complaint against Minister Luis Caputo and Central Bank President Santiago Bausili over the alleged mismanagement of nearly $4 trillion (Argentine pesos). Caputo announced a countersuit for defamation.

Additionally, Deputy Victoria Tolosa Paz also filed a complaint for misappropriation of public funds, noting that more than $1.038 trillion were not applied to the construction and maintenance of national highways.

Charging Foreigners and Energy Investment

Through Resolution 1066/2026, the Ministry of Health established that national hospitals will begin charging non-resident foreigners for non-urgent medical services. Emergencies will remain free and immediate. This measure had already been implemented in provinces like Salta.

Furthermore, Ravier announced a private investment estimated at 800 million US dollars to expand the electrical system of the AMBA (Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area), with a new 500 kV line and a transformer station in Plomer, Buenos Aires province.

YPF Record Results and Metrogas Sale

In the economic sphere, YPF (Argentina's state-owned energy company) announced record results for the second quarter of 2026, reaching an adjusted EBITDA of 2,804 million US dollars, a 150% year-over-year growth. Shale production averaged 213,000 barrels per day, focusing its strategy on Vaca Muerta, one of the world's largest shale oil and gas reserves.

In line with this plan, YPF accepted the offer from Edenor (controlled by José Luis Manzano and Daniel Vila) to purchase 70% of Metrogas for 780 million US dollars. Metrogas supplies 2.4 million users and distributed dividends in July 2026 for the first time since 2001.

Looking Toward 2027

The General Secretary of the Presidency, Karina Milei (sister of the President), met with Buenos Aires provincial legislators from La Libertad Avanza (the ruling party) to outline the electoral strategy for 2027. The goal is to consolidate the party structure in Buenos Aires Province and compete for the governorship. In parallel, Peronism in Buenos Aires is building its own network of mayors known as 'La Liga'.

Solidarity with Colombia

Chancellor Pablo Quirno expressed the Argentine government's condolences and solidarity with the Colombian people following the devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.4 that left at least 111 dead and numerous injured, offering assistance to that country's authorities in the emergency.

Sources: La Nación, Urgente24, Contexto Tucumán, Pregon