In a recent interview, Jorge D’Onofrio, the transport minister of Buenos Aires province in Argentina, sparked significant debate by suggesting the possibility of independence for the province. D’Onofrio, a representative of the left-wing Peronist administration, asserted on Radio Splendid that if Buenos Aires province were a sovereign entity, it could boast the “biggest GDP in Latin America.” He criticized the national government, led by right-wing libertarian President Javier Milei, characterizing its policies as “madness” and accusing Milei of undermining the nation.
This remark underscores an ongoing power struggle between Argentina’s central government and its largest province. Buenos Aires province, which is separate from the capital city of Buenos Aires, is home to approximately 17.5 million people, accounting for nearly 40% of the country’s population. The provincial capital, La Plata, serves a metropolitan area with close to one million residents.
D’Onofrio’s statements come at a time when the province is facing several policy disagreements with the Milei administration, particularly regarding transportation issues. It remains one of the five provinces still governed by opposition Peronist leaders, who lost the national presidency nearly a year ago. The province’s governor, Axel Kicillof—an economist with strong ties to former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s faction—navigates this complex political landscape.
On the topic of potential independence, D’Onofrio remarked, “As a leader of Buenos Aires, I could propose that we pursue a constitutional reform to explore the possibility of exiting the national state.” He clarified that while he does not fully advocate for independence, he believes the conversation is valuable, especially considering that Buenos Aires generates 45% of Argentina’s wealth but only receives 22% of revenue sharing, effectively subsidizing inefficiencies in other regions.
Amid rising tensions, the national government has announced plans to deregulate bus services—an initiative Kicillof has pledged to oppose. D’Onofrio even suggested that Buenos Aires might have the capacity to issue its own currency. However, this idea was swiftly critiqued by Luciano Laspina, a member of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies and supporter of former center-right President Mauricio Macri, who called the notion of independence, “the most ridiculous thing that has been said in years.”
