The initiative, first linked to post-ceasefire governance discussions around Gaza, has expanded into a broader proposal for a new international body aimed at conflict resolution and reconstruction.

Trump’s team describes it as a platform to promote stability and long-term peace. Critics argue it risks bypassing existing multilateral institutions, particularly the United Nations .

Countries invited and early acceptances

According to officials familiar with the process, invitations have been sent to dozens of governments across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.

A limited number of countries have confirmed acceptance. Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, publicly welcomed the invitation, describing it as an opportunity for closer diplomatic cooperation. Hungary has also confirmed participation , with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán signalling support for Trump’s approach to peace negotiations. Vietnam has likewise accepted, with its leadership confirming involvement through diplomatic channels.

Several other countries, including India, Australia, Pakistan, Egypt , Turkey, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, Canada, and Albania, have acknowledged receiving invitations but have not formally committed.

Rejections and reluctance from major powers

Some governments have already drawn clear lines. France has indicated it does not intend to join at this stage, citing concerns about the board’s purpose and structure. Brazil has also taken a cautious stance, with officials questioning whether the initiative complements or competes with existing international frameworks.

Canada’s position has been more nuanced. While Ottawa has not ruled out participation, officials have pushed back on reports that membership could involve large financial contributions, stressing that any involvement would need to align with Canada’s diplomatic priorities.

Other major powers, including the United Kingdom and Germany, are reported to be in internal discussions but have yet to make public commitments.

The proposal has generated additional controversy following reports that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin received an invitation . The Kremlin confirmed it was reviewing the offer, a move that has unsettled European diplomats, given Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to briefings from U.S. officials and reporting by international media, the Board of Peace is intended to:

Some reports suggest membership could involve fixed-term participation or long-term seats tied to significant financial contributions, a feature that has drawn criticism from several governments.

According to provisional results, President Javier Milei’s libertarian coalition, La Libertad Avanza (LLA), secured approximately 40.7% of the national vote , while the opposition Peronist-aligned Fuerza Patria pulled in around 31.7%.

The election map, where LLA’s violet-coloured provinces dominate much of the country and Fuerza Patria’s blue-coloured regions carve out strongholds, captures more than numbers. It reflects a defining test of Milei’s economic agenda, a rising contest between libertarian and populist models of governance, and the realignment of power across Argentina’s provinces.

LLA’s rise to the top at the national level reinforces the mandate that Milei has claimed since his 2023 victory. With roughly four in ten Argentines casting ballots in his coalition’s direction, he walks into the next legislative session with renewed momentum.

Meanwhile, Fuerza Patria’s performance signals that the traditional Peronist base remains formidable, albeit under pressure to modernise and recalibrate. The election will decide whether the governing coalition can transform its national popularity into legislative efficacy.

However, in the key province of Buenos Aires, the result told a different tale as Fuerza Patria dominated with about 47 % of the vote against LLA’s roughly 34 % in September.

That division, national strength for LLA and provincial resilience for Fuerza Patria, reveals the uneven terrain ahead. One map may show purples and blues dominating, but each colour conceals differing regional stories, power bases and policy priorities.

The significance of this election reaches well beyond Buenos Aires or Argentina’s own borders. For investors, markets and foreign governments, the result signals whether the country will stick with Milei’s radical free-market reforms, privatisation, deregulation and a sharp fiscal pivot or whether resistance and institutional inertia will force a recalibration.

In the short term, the markets reacted positively to the LLA victory, viewing it as a stabilising factor amid Argentina’s recent economic turbulence.

Regionally and globally, Argentina’s path matters because Latin America is watching. A strong showing by a libertarian coalition challenges the continent’s long-standing models of state-led economies and social welfare policies.

At the same time, the opposition’s showing demonstrates that large segments of the electorate still favour inclusive and interventionist approaches.

The decision to remove Espert from the Libertarian ticket came after pressure from different factions within Milei’s government . Until this Sunday, Milei had been Espert’s primary supporter since the scandal first emerged, but the controversy threatened to complicate the ruling party’s strategy ahead of the legislative elections on 26 October.

The allegations surfaced last week when a Peronist politician published accounting documents from a Texas court case against Fred Machado. The records indicate a $200,000 payment to Espert, who acknowledged that Machado had contributed to his 2019 presidential campaign. Espert also admitted to flying on Machado’s private planes at least 35 times.

This development marks a significant setback for Milei’s political movement, coming just weeks before the crucial midterm legislative elections, and highlights ongoing scrutiny of campaign financing and links to controversial figures in Argentine politics .

So far, nine people have been detained in connection with the murder of Lara Gutierrez, 15, Brenda del Castillo, 20, and Morena Verdi, 20, who were tortured and dismembered during a live broadcast on a social network, for a closed group of 45 people.

The Minister of Security warned that those who watched the video will also be brought to justice . "The 45 who say they saw the video, will all receive the maximum penalty that the highest-ranking member of that organisation will receive," Bullrich stated.

Bullrich also highlighted the cooperation between the police agencies of Bolivia and Peru in detaining some of the alleged perpetrators, including Victor Sotacuro, Matias Agustin Ozorio, and Tony Janzen Valverde Victoriano, known as 'Pequeno J'.

The victims were tortured, murdered and buried in the yard of a house in Florencio Varela, where their bodies were found five days after they disappeared.

Authorities in Argentina classified the case as aggravated homicide, premeditated by two or more individuals, with treachery, cruelty, and gender-based violence.

The bill, originally approved by Congress in August, guarantees higher budgets for national universities and salary increases for teaching and non-teaching staff. Milei rejected the law in September, arguing it jeopardised his government’s goal of achieving a “zero deficit” through sweeping austerity measures.

Thursday’s debate took place as students, academics and health workers gathered outside Congress in Buenos Aires, protesting against the president’s cuts to education and other sectors. Many carried placards denouncing the veto and warning that underfunding universities threatened both access to education and Argentina’s long-term development.

Public universities hold particular weight in Argentina, where tuition has been free since 1949 and nearly two million students are enrolled in state institutions, compared with around half a million in private universities. Supporters of the law framed the issue as not only financial but also political and moral, accusing Milei of undermining a fundamental social right.

This is not the first time Milei has attempted to block higher education funding. A similar law was vetoed in 2024, though Congress then upheld his decision. This time, however, lawmakers in both chambers united to reject his stance. In the same session, the Senate also overturned Milei’s veto of a law declaring a state of emergency in paediatric healthcare, further highlighting the political pushback against his austerity agenda.

Argentina’s country risk index climbed to 1,200 points, its highest level since October 2024. This metric, closely monitored by investors, reflects the perceived likelihood of Argentina defaulting on its debt. The surge highlights concerns about the country’s fiscal health, dwindling foreign reserves, and the impact of political turbulence on economic reforms. Analysts warn this could deter foreign investment, raise borrowing costs, and strain President Javier Milei’s already ambitious stabilisation plans.

Milei faces setback after Peronist victory in Buenos Aires

President Javier Milei’s reformist government is facing headwinds after the Peronist party scored a significant victory in Buenos Aires. The first post-election poll suggests growing voter dissatisfaction with Milei’s policies, especially among working-class voters who have borne the brunt of austerity measures. As the country heads toward key October elections, Milei is expected to recalibrate his messaging and shore up support to avoid further losses that could stall his legislative agenda.

Budget speech: “The worst is over”

In a nationally televised address, Milei sought to reassure Argentines that the country is turning a corner economically. He promised that “the worst is over” and appealed to citizens to hold firm as his administration works to stabilise inflation, attract investment, and fund social programs. Milei also signalled increased spending on healthcare and education, hoping to counter criticisms that his government’s austerity approach has disproportionately hurt the poor.

Government shake-up amid ANDIS scandal

The Argentine government announced structural changes within ANDIS (National Agency for Disability) following leaked audio recordings involving Diego Spagnuolo that sparked public outrage. The scandal triggered protests in Buenos Aires and other cities, with citizens demanding accountability and transparency. The administration’s swift response suggests an effort to limit political fallout and restore public trust ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle.

Marco Rubio meets Netanyahu to discuss Qatar attack and Gaza crisis

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focusing on the aftermath of the recent attack in Qatar and the ongoing humanitarian and security situation in Gaza. This conversation underscores Washington’s growing concern over Middle Eastern instability and its ripple effects on global security. Argentina, while geographically distant, is watching closely — particularly given its large Jewish community and its own security policies in relation to Middle Eastern geopolitics.