Journalist Alejandro Fantino made an accusation on the streaming channel Neura, claiming that some economists are paid in dollars and seek a devaluation to benefit large Argentine businessmen. Fantino mentioned economists Roberto Frenkel, José María Fanelli, Martín Rapetti, and Sebastián Katz from the Center for State and Society Studies (CEDES) as promoters of this idea.
In response to this accusation, Lucas Llach, former vice president of the Central Bank alongside Federico Sturzenegger during Mauricio Macri's government, expressed his disagreement, labeling Fantino's comments as unfounded. On the other hand, Fernando Marull and Rodolfo Santángelo also voiced their opinions, pointing out the need for the exchange rate to be determined by the market in the future to avoid economic problems.
Meanwhile, economists such as Federico Moll, Nicolás Gadan, Matías Surt, and Emilio Ocampo criticized the way Fantino attacked the CEDES economists, describing the situation as a clumsy operation lacking solid foundations. Additionally, Andrés López, director of the Interdisciplinary Institute of Political Economy at UBA and Conicet, did not hesitate to condemn the accusation, considering it an operation based on delirious and outdated arguments.
In summary, despite the differences of opinion among various economists, the discussion centers on the need for a market-adjusted exchange rate and the criticism of the unfounded accusations made by Fantino against certain economic professionals. The controversy highlighted the importance of a serious and well-founded debate in the economic field.
