The Minister of Economy, Martín Guzmán, held a meeting with Argentina’s ambassador to the United States, Jorge Argüello (right), and the Secretary of Energy, Darío Martínez (left). Photo: Economy press.
Due to the discussion on the energy agenda with the Argentine ambassador to the United States, Martín Guzmán appeared on Monday with Darío Martínez, Secretary of Energy, who just over a month ago publicly crossed it for public funding. This happened the same day that hearings began to determine increases in gas and energy rates.
While Alberto Fernández, from Spain, tried to reduce the fight with the vice president in various interviews given to the media in that country, Guzmán welcomed Ambassador Jorge Argüello and the secretary who in March asked for more funding for to purchase gas from by a letter. .
The relationship between Guzmán and Martínez took a different path. Although the official arrived in the area at the hands of Máximo Kirchner, his relationship with the strictest sector of the Frente de Todos deteriorated after the failed attempt by the Minister of Economy to oust Federico Basualdo, Undersecretary of Energy and the right hand. by Cristina. Kirchner.
Since then, Martínez has maintained a difficult balance that allows him to continue driving. a budget of $ 897 billion in the Ministry of Energy, most of them are set to subsidize electricity and gas bills.
The Minister of Economy, Martín Guzmán, held a meeting with Argentina’s ambassador to the United States, Jorge Argüello, and the Secretary of Energy, Darío Martínez. Photo: Economy press.
In March, Martínez wrote a note addressed to Guzmán — with a copy to Alberto Fernández and Juan Manzur — in which he accused the Minister of the Economy of putting “a cash ceiling, with the consequences for the country it implies”.
And he added: “A crisis will arise due to the lack of fuel to feed the country’s thermal power plants.”
Photo together, while discussing rates
Tuesday’s meeting, the Ministry reported, served to discuss “about the current geopolitical situation and the opportunities offered by Argentina in the energy sector ”.
“Officials reviewed national government policies aimed at accelerate the development of energy production in the country and ratified the need to continue to strengthen bilateral links with the United States, particularly on energy issues ”, they added.
Guzmán and Argüello examined the investment possibilities that are opening up in Argentina for U.S. companies in the sector.
Almost equal, on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Fernández sought to build bridges in Spain to be the gateway for Argentine gas to Europe, which it promised to export when the Néstor Kirchner gas pipeline was completed.
The meeting was also attended by Secretary for International Economic and Financial Affairs, Maia Colodenco; the undersecretary of Energy Planning, Santiago López Osornio; and the director of the YPF on behalf of the National State, Demian Panigo.
Hearings have begun for gas and energy rates
Maggie Videla Oporto, Undersecretary of Hydrocarbons, confirmed Tuesday at a public hearing that increases in household gas rates would be 20% on average, with the band ranging from 18 to 25.5%, according to their graphs. .
This increase is added to the 20% increase that occurred in February (with effect from March), which will give an annual average of 42.7%.
The undersecretary headed by Videla prepared the document presented at the hearing, with an official position.
Ang hearing gas It is national in scope. In other words, all distributors in the country will apply for recomposition when ordered by the Secretary of Energy.
The string of these meetings to deal with the increases will continue on Wednesday (electrical distribution) and Thursday, where progress will be made specifically on segmentation.
Source: Clarin
