13/07/2026 03:47 - Politica
In a climate of deep understanding and collaboration, the Government of Santa Cruz (a vast province in southern Argentina, known for its oil industry and natural wonders) and the mayors (locally known as "intendentes") of various municipalities advanced a joint agenda to strengthen the provincial pension system. The meeting, held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Infrastructure, sought to constructively address the impact of a ruling by the Superior Court of Justice (TSJ) that reinstated the validity of Article 22 of Law No. 1,782, which regulates pension contributions.
The meeting was headed by the Minister of Economy, Ezequiel Verbes, and the Minister of Government, Belén Elmiger. On the municipal side, the mayors of key cities participated: Pablo Grasso (Río Gallegos, the provincial capital), Darío Menna (Río Turbio), Aldo Aravena (28 de Noviembre), and Zulma Neira (Los Antiguos). Additionally, representing the mayor of El Calafate (a renowned tourist hub near the famous Perito Moreno glacier), Javier Belloni, Leonardo Mardones and Juan Manuel Miñones attended.
The province and municipalities agreed to meet again during the week of July 20 to continue analyzing the judicial ruling, incorporating new technical information to be provided by both parties.
Minister of Government Belén Elmiger highlighted the spirit of dialogue that prevailed and emphasized that the main goal is to reach lasting agreements. In this regard, she reported that the provincial executive branch has not withheld shared tax revenues (a system known locally as "coparticipación", where national and provincial taxes are distributed to municipalities to fund local services) from the municipalities, despite what the judicial resolution authorized.
Furthermore, Elmiger brought peace of mind to municipal and provincial workers, assuring that the TSJ resolution does not jeopardize the payment of salaries or pensions. She reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Claudio Vidal's administration to sustain the Social Security Fund (Caja de Previsión Social) and to advance through dialogue in agreements that also strengthen the Social Services Fund.
The Government's will is to continue dialoguing to reach definitive solutions that provide predictability both to the municipalities and to the pension system of all residents of Santa Cruz.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
