Chubut and Santa Cruz provinces spar over YPF asset deal and provincial debt plan

The legislature of Argentina's Chubut province approved an agreement with YPF that transfers assets and grants the oil company indemnity for decades‑long environmental liabilities in exchange for a US$25 million remediation fund. Deputy Juan Pais denounced the deal as “a very sad day for the Chubut people,” saying it was passed without sufficient information, that the remediation amount is inadequate, and that the clause sending disputes to Buenos Aires harms provincial interests.

In the neighboring Santa Cruz province, deputy Eloy Echazú criticised Governor Claudio Vidal after the governor suggested opposition mayors had asked for money. Echazú clarified that the request was an “advance of co‑participation” and defended the municipalities’ right to a share of provincial revenues. He also condemned the governor’s debt‑raising bill for lacking dialogue, stating that the executive “does not have the maturity to build consensus.”