The Buenos Aires governor Axel Kicillof and the Minister of Government Carlos Bianco starred in another tense exchange with a journalist during the reopening of the Juan Manuel Fangio racetrack in Balcarce, after being asked about the controversial figure that the Province released as an investment to recover the historic circuit.
The discussion revolves around the $3.3 billion that the Buenos Aires government presents as the "updated" value of the work without exposing the criteria. Local media had previously reconstructed that the funds originally allocated were considerably lower: the project began in 2023 with an allocation close to $583 million and various updates later brought the reported amount to around $1.038 billion.
Tension began when a journalist approached Kicillof during the event and asked what the reopening of the circuit meant. “A joy, a joy,” replied the governor while trying to escape from the cameras again.
In response to a second question about the provincial contribution, Kicillof maintained that the recovery had been driven by his administration, although he acknowledged the municipality's collaboration, and assured that the investment currently amounted to about $3 billion, even though it was not backed by the transfers.
The reporter pointed out that from the municipal level, an investment close to $1.038 billion had been mentioned. “Yes, because that was three years ago. It is updated. It is 3,000 at today's values,” Kicillof replied before continuing on his way.
Seconds later, Bianco appeared, who decided to expand on the explanation and stopped the journalist with a tug on his arm while telling him he could clarify the numbers. The reporter asked him not to hold him roughly because he was working, and the nervous official agreed.
“$3.3 billion is the updated value of the four installments that were paid,” Bianco explained. According to him, the nominal amount is around $1.3 billion, but when adjusted to current values, the investment would rise to $3.3 billion.
Axel Kicillof and Carlos Bianco starred in a new media scandal
The official added that it was “a matter for accountants and economists” and defended a calculation he did not want to reveal. During the recorded exchange, he did not detail what the specific index or parameter used to convert the nominal disbursements into the $3.3 billion officially released was.
The figure had already been announced by Bianco days before the reopening, when he stated that the Province had made an investment of nearly $3.3 billion in recent years to remodel the layout, expand escape zones, build new walls, resurface areas, and make other improvements.
