Milei did a cryptocurrency scam? Basically, yes.
Issue #7 - February 20, 2025
The Milei’s scam and political tensions in Brazil and Colombia. Also, rising attacks on the LGBTIQ+ community in the world.
Estimate reading time: 5 minutes
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Argentina: Milei's scam
On Friday, Milei recommended investing in a new cryptocurrency he presented as part of a project to finance small entrepreneurs. The cryptocurrency skyrocketed within minutes, reaching a global valuation of $4 billion. The few who had bought seconds before Milei's post fled with their profits. Milei then deleted his message, arguing that he hadn't properly informed himself about the matter.
At best, Milei had been convinced by some businessmen about the alleged benefits of the cryptocurrency and allowed them to make a huge profit using his name. Now, impeachment requests in Congress and legal actions are cornering the president. On Monday, Milei finally attempted a response during a pre-recorded interview with the TN news network. He claimed his responsibility was limited to that of an ordinary citizen who, in good faith, had promoted what he considered a good idea. The government was satisfied with the outcome.
The leak of an unaired part of the interview turned everything upside down. The footage shows Santiago Caputo, the most powerful man in the government, interrupting the journalist who kept insisting that Milei, besides being a citizen, is also the president.
Caputo's interruption was strategic. Milei now faces an investigation for alleged fraud and criminal conspiracy. A law firm has also filed a similar complaint in the United States against Milei and the companies behind the scam.
Brazil: Jair Bolsonaro accused of attempted coup in Brazil
The far-right former president is trying to get Congress to approve legislative changes that could potentially keep him out of prison and allow him to run for president again in 2026.
Bolsonaro led the attempted coup in January 2023 to overturn his defeat at the polls against Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in October 2022.
According to the Prosecutor's Office, the coup plans included poisoning Lula and assassinating Judge Moraes, who oversees the cases against the former president. Among the 34 individuals accused of violently attempting to abolish the rule of law and other crimes are seven generals, the admiral who commanded the Navy, and many other military officers.
Colombia: Special Jurisdiction for Peace charges four generals with war crimes and crimes against humanity for ‘False Positives’
The Special Jurisdiction for Peace, responsible for prosecuting the most serious crimes committed during the armed conflict, has charged four Army generals with war crimes and crimes against humanity for their responsibility in more than 400 murders in Antioquia, as part of the investigation into the so-called "false positives." This term refers to civilians killed by the military and falsely presented as guerrillas fallen in combat.
The commanders fueled fierce competition among battalions to achieve top rankings, which came with specific benefits. In contrast, units that did not report casualties were stigmatized, and their members were threatened. Investigators explain that this combination unleashed what they call the macro-criminal pattern of executions. Despite multiple warnings, no corrective measures were taken. On the contrary, military leaders accused civil society organizations reporting the cases of being useful idiots of terrorism.
Panama: Deportation of asian migrants sent by Trump; Costa Rica will join the process
A first group of Asians deported by the United States to Panama has begun the journey back to the territories they fled. These migrants were detained by Donald Trump's administration at the U.S. border and sent on three flights to Panama City, where they were held incommunicado since last week until, according to local authorities, they agreed to voluntarily return to their countries of origin.
Trump aimed to implement his mass deportation plan to countries like Afghanistan, Iran, and China, with Panama and Costa Rica as allies, both agreeing to serve as transit hubs for repatriation flights. Rodrigo Chaves' government announced last Monday that it would receive 200 people.
Experts have pointed out that this process is illegal. The International Refugee Assistance Project criticized the Trump administration for carrying out swift deportations without due process and without giving migrants the opportunity to seek asylum in the United States.
Mexico: United States designates six Mexican cartels and two gangs as global terrorist organizations
The criminal organizations identified by Donald Trump's administration are the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, United Cartels, Northeast Cartel, Gulf Cartel, and the New Michoacan Family. Additionally, the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the Mara Salvatrucha, which operates throughout Central and North America, have been added to the list.
The government has used this tool since September 23, 2001, when George W. Bush signed an executive order to create a list of transnational terrorist organizations aimed at combating the jihadist groups responsible for the September 11 attacks.
EUROPE
Europe: Rising Attacks on the LGBTIQ+ Community
ILGA-Europe, in its annual report, warns that the region could become a platform for a broader attack aimed at eroding the pillars of freedom and democracy.
The report highlights the emergence, throughout 2024, of foreign agent bills inspired by Russian legislation—specifically targeting NGOs and civil society by stigmatizing and suppressing organizations. There are also efforts to exclude LGBTIQ+ realities from comprehensive sex education under the false pretense of protecting children.
Across Europe and Central Asia, governments are using hate speech rhetoric to justify restrictions on freedom of expression, civil society, and fair elections. What begins as an attack on LGBTIQ+ rights quickly expands into a broader assault on the rights and freedoms of all members of society.
Voiceover: Jasson Muir Clarke
[Spanish language publication]
For more information and analysis on human rights in Costa Rica and Latin America:
