Argentina: ATM Machines

You may remember an article posted in the June issue of EFAM concerning cash withdrawal limits from ATM machines in Argentina. The article underlined the fact that foreigners in Argentina were being penalised by the low restrictions on ATM withdrawal amounts. At that time it was 300 pesos per withdrawal, although you could draw that amount three or four times in a day.....but of course you would be charged for each separate transaction. Local Argentinians did not have the same restrictions.

It is the global bank networks that set the restrictions; all banks and credit card companies worldwide belong to such a network, the two operating in Argentina being Banelco and Link who also have a tie up with Cirrus and VisaPlus.

As of this month, the restrictions seem to have lifted somewhat, but you do have to shop around. Some ATMs will still only let you have 300 pesos (about $US50), but others will let you withdraw more....1000 pesos for example.

The restrcitions are supposed to protect the consumer.....so that if you are robbed you will only lose 300 pesos, unless of course you have managed to take 4 x 300 pesos, which you can do by leaving your card in the machine and making four separate transactions (with the resultant fee!)

The other reason cited is to prevent money laundering.....although money launderers don't normally withdraw money from a bone fide bank account which is traceable!

Uruguay: Smoking Ban

Uruguay is the first Latin American country to totally ban smoking and tobacco advertising. There is no smoking in any public place....restaurants, cafes, shops etc. The president of this little South American nation, Mr Tabare Vazquez, is himself a practicing oncologist so the NO SMOKING issue is very close to his heart.

Any establishment caught floughting the law faces a heavy fine or three day closure, though as of this year, research suggests that at least 70% of the population endorses the legislationand there are few infractions.

Magazines and newspapers, imported from neighbouring Argentina (where cigarette and tobacco advertising is still allowed, although smoking is supposedly banned in all places where food is served) have to have a health warning stamped on the front cover to show that the magazine does contain adverts banned from Uruguayan publications.

Paraguay: Land Reform

Paraguay is being feted as the new expat destination, with ample, cheap real estate and a laid back lifestyle to boot.

But there is an agricultural revolution on the way. Newly elected President Fernando Lugo is determined to make good his election promise of returning agricultural land to the people. Currently 1 percent of the population owns 77 precent of the arable land. He will also uphold a longstanding law that prevents foreigners from buying agricultural land from Paraguayan citizens. This has been prompted by the soya production explosion.....vast acres of Praguayan land is set to soya, pretty much all owned by foreign, particulcarly Brazilian, corporations, and the 'campesino' (small farmer)

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