How Black Gold Is Involved in the Argentine Presidential Campaign

The oil issue is taking center stage in Argentina's presidential campaign, exacerbated by fuel shortages, government warnings to the oil sector and controversial comparisons with Venezuela.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Argentina’s presidential campaign has recently been marked by a series of fuel shortages in various regions. Queues at service stations increased over the weekend, although the situation seems to be improving. The country’s main oil companies, including YPF, Raizen, Trafigura and Axion Energy, have given assurances that the situation “will normalize in the next few days”. They attribute these shortages to a series of events leading to exceptional demand, including a long bank holiday weekend, a national mobility peak linked to the elections and the start of the farming season.

The Government Warns the Oil Sector

The government has also issued a warning to the oil industry. Economy Minister and presidential candidate Sergio Massa implicitly accused the companies of favoring lucrative exports to the detriment of the domestic market, where fuel prices are regulated. “Argentine oil to Argentines first,” said Massa, adding that if the situation wasn’t resolved soon, “no more tankers will go out” for export. This statement raises questions about the management of the country’s natural resources and the government’s role in regulating the energy sector.

Controversial comparisons with Venezuela

Against this backdrop, Javier Milei, the ultraliberal candidate who will face Massa in the second round, made some bold comparisons between the situation in Argentina and that in Venezuela. According to Milei, Argentina risks following the same path as Venezuela, which has experienced shortages despite its vast oil reserves. Milei said that “what’s happening with Massa is the same as with Maduro in Venezuela”, adding that Argentina has the energy potential to avoid such a crisis, but could lose it through bad policies.

Oil has become a key issue in Argentina’s presidential campaign, with fuel shortages, government warnings and controversial political statements. While oil companies assure us that the situation will return to normal, the debate over the management of the country’s energy resources and their impact on the economy and domestic politics remains open. The second round of elections could well be a referendum on how Argentina manages its precious natural resources.

Kogi State Electricity Distribution Limited reported a ₦1.3bn ($882,011) loss due to power fraud, threatening its operational viability in Kogi State.
More than 40 developers will gather in Livingstone from 26 to 28 November to turn Southern Africa’s energy commitments into bankable and interconnected projects.
Citepa projections confirm a marked slowdown in France's climate trajectory, with emissions reductions well below targets set in the national low-carbon strategy.
The United States has threatened economic sanctions against International Maritime Organization members who approve a global carbon tax on international shipping emissions.
Global progress on electricity access slowed in 2024, with only 11 million new connections, despite targeted efforts in parts of Africa and Asia.
A parliamentary report questions the 2026 electricity pricing reform, warning of increased market exposure for households and a redistribution mechanism lacking clarity.
The US Senate has confirmed two new commissioners to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, creating a Republican majority that could reshape the regulatory approach to national energy infrastructure.
The federal government launches a CAD3mn call for proposals to fund Indigenous participation in energy and infrastructure projects related to critical minerals.
Opportunities are emerging for African countries to move from extraction to industrial manufacturing in energy technology value chains, as the 2025 G20 discussions highlight these issues.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable power capacity could more than double by 2030, driven by the rise of solar photovoltaics despite supply chain pressures and evolving policy frameworks.
Algeria plans to allocate $60 billion to energy projects by 2029, primarily targeting upstream oil and gas, while developing petrochemicals, renewables and unconventional resources.
China set a record for clean technology exports in August, driven by surging sales of electric vehicles and batteries, with more than half of the growth coming from non-OECD markets.
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.
The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.
Facing a potential federal government shutdown, multiple US energy agencies are preparing to suspend services and furlough thousands of employees.
A report reveals the economic impact of renewable energy losses in Chile, indicating that a 1% drop in curtailments could generate $15mn in annual savings.
Faced with growing threats to its infrastructure, Denmark raises its energy alert level in response to a series of unidentified drone flyovers and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The Prime Minister dismissed rumours of a moratorium on renewables, as the upcoming energy roadmap triggers tensions within the sector.
Kuwait plans to develop 14.05 GW of new power capacity by 2031 to meet growing demand and reduce scheduled outages, driven by extreme temperatures and maintenance delays.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.