Investigation Demanded into UAE-Funded Land Purchase in Argentina's Río Negro

A significant controversy has erupted in Argentina's Río Negro province, with legislators demanding an investigation into a massive land acquisition allegedly funded by the United Arab Emirates. The case centers on businessman Hugo Alberto Barabucci, who claims a $2 million donation from the UAE enabled him to purchase approximately 19,000 hectares in a strategically sensitive border region.

This revelation emerged during a land dispute trial where Barabucci was the plaintiff. His assertion of receiving a non-reimbursable donation from the UAE has raised red flags among legal experts and provincial representatives. Lawyers for the defendant, a Mapuche woman ultimately acquitted of land usurpation charges, argue that the purchase may violate Argentina's rural lands law (Law 26.737), which restricts foreign ownership, particularly within 100 kilometers of international borders.

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We are talking about an event of extreme gravity.

Provincial legislator Magdalena Odarda has spearheaded the call for a thorough investigation, citing the "extreme gravity" of the situation. The inquiry seeks to scrutinize the origin of the funds, potential currency smuggling, money laundering, and whether relevant financial intelligence and customs agencies were involved. The alleged transfer of funds from an Abu Dhabi bank through a New York account, without adhering to Argentine regulations, adds another layer of complexity to this already contentious land deal.

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The field that was the focus of conflict in Alto Río Chubut is located about 50 kilometers from the border with Chile.