Congress to limit foreign ownership of Argentine land

[ReemsterCARP]

http://www.infobae.com/notas/577304...ligar-a-extranjeros-a-vender-sus-tierras.html

La Cámara de Diputados estudia una ley que le pondrá límite a los extranjeros a la hora de comprar terrenos en el país.

"La idea es ponerle límite a la compra de tierras de personas físicas o jurídicas, debido a que alrededor del 10 por ciento está en manos de extranjeros", afirmó legisladora Verónica Benas, impulsora de la iniciativa.

Las leyes argentinas actuales no proporcionan límites y se han vendido grandes extensiones con riquezas incalculables y otras de importante valor estratégico. "Hay inmensas extensiones de tierra que encierran cursos de aguas subterráneas, ríos, lagos y bosques", explicó Benas.

La legisladora explicó en el programa Sensación Térmica de Radio 10 que su proyecto lo que plantea es "establecer un limite máximo para evitar la concentración de tierras argentinas en manos extranjeros".

"No pueden exceder el límite de una unidad productiva", añadió Benas en referencia a uno de los artículos de la normativa. Además, la iniciativa establece un "plazo de regularización de dos años para ajustarse a lo que dispone la ley del ciudadano extranjero".

La legisladora rosarina añadió que alcanza a las "tierras fiscales que se vendieron a extranjeros directamente o particulares que a su vez las revendieron" a ciudadanos de otros países.

Benas relató que la mayoría de los expedientes aprobados entre 2003 y 2007 sobre la cordillera fueron autorizados vía de excepción. "El sentido de mi proyecto es proteger toda la zona de frontera, clave para la soberanía del país", afirmó.

"Es una amenaza a la seguridad nacional ya que muchas de esas tierras son estratégicas por los usos en la superficie y las riquezas del subsuelo como los minerales, los hidrocarburos y por supuesto, el agua dulce", concluyó la legisladora.

Won't this violate foreigner's rights as stated in Article 20 of the Constitution?

Los extranjeros gozan en el territorio de la Nación de todos los derechos civiles del ciudadano; pueden ejercer su industria, comercio y profesión; poseer bienes raíces, comprarlos y enajenarlos; navegar los ríos y costas; ejercer libremente su culto; testar y casarse conforme a las leyes. No están obligados a admitir la ciudadanía, ni a pagar contribuciones forzosas extraordinarias. Obtienen nacionalización residiendo dos años continuos en la Nación; pero la autoridad puede acortar este término a favor del que lo solicite, alegando y probando servicios a la República.

 

[BAFinance]

Yet just another anti-business move by the government. I can't say I'm terribly surprised though..

 

[gsi16386]

I think it goes without saying that if you decide to start a business in Argentina en blanco as an extranjero, it's a bad business decision.

 

[Johnno]

So - what does this mean for people like me who would like to buy an apartment here some time this year? I'm guessing its not good ?...

 

[steveinbsas]

So - what does this mean for people like me who would like to buy an apartment here some time this year? I'm guessing its not good ?...

I'm guessing you don't read castellano very well.

This should not affect your purchase of an apartment in any way.

 

[dr__dawggy]

I'm guessing you don't read castellano very well.

This will not affect your purchase of an apartment in any way.

This won't. Who knows what tomorrow may bring!

 

[steveinbsas]

I think it goes without saying that if you decide to start a business in Argentina en blanco as an extranjero, it's a bad business decision.

What does this have to do with the subject?

Do you have any idea of the amount (vast quantities) of land in Argentina that was purchased by foreigners betwen 2003 and 2007 that lead to the proposal of this law in the first place?

The proposed legislation has absolutely nothing to do with foreigners starting a business in Argentina (en blanco o en negro).

 

[marksoc]

The MC Benas is part of the ARI (opposition), it took me 2 seconds using Google.It probably has to do with the hrrendous concesions made by K. to foreign companies to exploit the richess around the Andes, but it could apply to the large territories sold to foreigners in Patagonia. Since the article says from 2003 to 2007, it is probably something against K. I am a supporter of this government, but I will always criticize K. position regarding the exploitation of natural resources by foreign companies in Catamarca and other provinces. I would like her support for Barrick Gold to be explained, so we can attack it in rational grounds (corruption does not explain everything, since even M***m The Corrupt had an ideological position: neocon).

 

[Jvanka]

congrats on your new home!

 

[French jurist]

Reading quickly the article, it makes me think about the prohibition (already in place) to sell lands along the frontiers to foreigners. I guess that's what the article means by "some lands were sold by -exception-".

Historically (correct me if I'm wrong), Argentina has always protected foreigners private ownership of lands (when it comes to foreing companies buying public services = different story of course).

The article points out the sale of "tierras fiscales" to foreigners also (wouldn't hurt if they were reserved to Argentineans).

Many other parameters to include :
- 4 or 5 years ago it was discovered that a British (?) guy who had bought big pieces of land in Patagonia had built a very big airstrip without telling anyone.
- Patagonian natives who've had access to rivers and such for 1000s of years suddenly are forbidden to do so because a new foreign owner of the lands decides so.
- Low level of control on the mining industries and such (a company X from abroad comes here, digs, uses "mercurio" or arsenic during the mining operations, doesn't invest enough to prevent those poisons to reach rivers, takes the money... and runs away after a few years).

Obviously this applies primarly to big chunks of lands along the frontiers, or having natural resources (mining, water and such).