In a move that shook the Argentine economic ecosystem, Marcos Galperin, founder and current CEO of Mercado Libre, announced that he will leave his operational role at the company he created 26 years ago. The news, long anticipated in the company's corridors and in the markets, was confirmed in a letter published by Galperin himself on the social network X: "After 26 years leading the company as CEO, I have decided to transition to a new role as Executive Chairman, starting January 1, 2026."
The businessman, 53 years old and with a personal fortune exceeding 10 billion dollars according to Forbes, will remain closely linked to the company as chairman of the board. His operational departure doesn't imply a total retirement, but rather a transformation of leadership: "My focus will be on strategy, product evolution, culture, capital allocation decisions, some specific projects, and how we will continue to apply artificial intelligence to transform our business and our company," he explained.
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The decision, he said, was matured over decades. "When I turned 30, I thought I would take this step at 40. When I reached 40, I thought it would be at 45. When I turned 50, I thought it was better not to make more forecasts! But a couple of years ago I realized it was time to decide," he expressed, adding that, as always, he prioritized "what is best for the company, beyond my personal feelings."
The transition occurs at a key moment for Argentina, where signs of macroeconomic stability and openness to private capital under President Javier Milei's management have begun to generate renewed optimism in the business sector. It is noteworthy that, during an official visit by the president to Mercado Libre's headquarters last year, Galperin and his now successor, Ariel Szarfsztejn, flanked him in a symbolic photograph that today takes on new value.
