Planning Minister Julio De Vido has denied claims issued by Clarin that a meeting was held between himself and the governor of the Chubut province to acquire shares of Reposol-YPF.
The national newspaper published a story in today’s paper, noting that the minister met with governor Martín Buzzi to discuss the possibility of using social security funds to buy as many shares as necessary to renationalise the company.
Clarín later reported the governor’s response, which included the claim that the report should be considered as “misinformation.”
According to Clarín, Buzzi stated that the project to purchase YPF would make use of social security funds from the National Administration of Social Security (ANSeS) and private equity. The project allegedly has the backing of ANSeS director Diego Bossio.
The Clarín article claims that the governor of Chubut consulted the Ministry of Planning at every stage. However, the ministry has denied that the minister was aware of the issue.
“De Vido has not received any such offer and has not met for that reason with the governor Martin Buzzi or ANSeS executive director, Diego Bossio, neither jointly nor separately,” said the Ministry of Planning.
Talk of nationalising the Spanish-owned oil company is not new. On 21st March, the head of Repsol YPF met with national government representatives to discuss the country’s role as a shareholder. At that time, the head of the Cabinet, Abal Medina, told journalists that “if YPF’s path is nationalisation, then nationalised it will be.”
Rumours were rife in February, affecting the price of shares in the company.
