Media owner Augusto Marini wins new multi-million dollar state contract in Argentina's rail sector

Augusto Marini, a prominent businessman known for his involvement in streaming platforms Carajo and Blender, has been awarded a new state contract valued at US$3.8 million within the public railway sector. His company, Motora Argentina, part of the Cale Group holding, secured the bid for locomotive and carriage spare parts from Operadora Ferroviaria Sociedad del Estado.

The contract was granted through an abbreviated tender process, citing a state of emergency in the railway system following a train crash in May 2024. Official sources from the state-owned company stated that Motora Argentina won because it offered the best price. Other bids, such as one from Expocomex for US$4.8 million, were reportedly deemed too expensive or failed to meet requirements.

“

There is a fantasy that if I am the owner of Carajo, I am a partner of the President; that if I bid for a City tender, I am friends with Jorge Macri; or that because I have a railway company, I am a straw man for Maturano. And that is not the case.

Marini has publicly refuted claims that his business dealings are influenced by political connections. He stated, "There is a fantasy that if I am the owner of Carajo, I am a partner of the President; that if I bid for a City tender, I am friends with Jorge Macri; or that because I have a railway company, I am a straw man for Maturano. And that is not the case."

Beyond his media ventures, which include Carajo, a platform featuring economic officials and libertarian figure Daniel Parisini, and the Blender channel, Marini's business interests extend to energy. His holding company has also bid on projects related to battery installations to prevent power outages. Marini asserted that his success stems from years of developing projects across diverse industries, not from political patronage, and highlighted the contributions of thousands of employees within his companies.

“

I have developed projects in very different industries, with success and over many years. To think that all of that responds to a political godfather is not only false, but it ignores the work of thousands of people who are part of our companies.