Argentine President's Confidant On A Future Free Of Government Interference: Crypto, Lithium, Cannabis & More

In 2021, Ramiro Marra rose to political prominence by joining La Libertad Avanza, a party that now makes global headlines after winning the presidency in Argentina, as the lead candidate for the Buenos Aires Legislature. After the elections, he assumed the role of the libertarian whip for the recently elected President, Javier Milei.

Known for his informative finance videos on YouTube and his stewardship of the DólarHoy website, Marra offered an exclusive interview to Benzinga and El Planteo. He spoke about the surging interest in libertarianism among Argentina's youth and the prospects of medicinal cannabis in Argentina.

Freedom Is Fever

Libertarianism is sweeping across networks, television and beyond, like a whirlwind traversing land and sea, emerging globally as a novel concept for many.

But how is this phenomenon viewed by one of its main proponents? Marra attributes this trend to a fundamental shift in the perception of rebellion.

"Being rebellious used to mean aligning with left-wing ideas, but now being rebellious is embracing liberalism," Marra explained.

The director of the brokerage firm Bull Market sees Argentine libertarianism, revitalized by figures like President Javier Milei, as a rebellion against state oppression and political corruption.

“For decades, being rebellious was left-wing, pointing to an idea of collective society. Today all of that represents the status quo. Therefore, being rebellious today is being on the side of libertarianism. A cry from the working classes tired of feeling the full weight of the State and political clientelism," added Marra.

Young Libertarians

When discussing the hopes and concerns of the Argentine youth, Marra emphasized their desire for growth and opportunities for market competition.

Likewise, he criticized the underestimation of younger generations and underlined the importance of creating ideal conditions for them to reach their maximum potential.

"Our libertarian ideology responds to this demand. That's why most young people support us," he said, highlighting their access to information and skepticism towards traditional political narratives.

A Libertarian Future

Marra described a libertarian future for Argentine youth centered on economic development, growth and competitiveness. He imagines a country where young people can freely choose their careers and contribute to new markets, such as AI, Blockchain and genomics.

"We must bet on their creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic," he affirmed.

Labor Reform: ‘The Key’

Regarding reducing government control in the business sphere, Marra believes deregulations will create more job opportunities.

He pointed out that labor laws should balance the rights of workers and employers, leading to an increase in job creation and startups.

"This is the real key to Argentine growth," he said.

Industries Of The Future

Marra identified key industries for the future, highlighting the knowledge economy and the energy sector, and drew parallels with India's growth driven by software production and export.

Marra did not provide a specific answer regarding renewable energies and environmental policies. Rather, he referred to lithium as a strategic resource for the country's future development.

"Argentina has a crucial role in energy production, especially with natural gas and the potential large-scale exploitation of lithium," he commented, underlining the country's strategic position in these sectors.

Lithium: A Strategic Resource

Discussing the exploitation of lithium, Marra criticized the approach of the last administration and advocated for private investment to boost production and national income.

Marra foresees a new period focused on private initiative and regional development. "We must triple our production to meet the 2030 goals," he said, emphasizing the need for more projects and private investments.

“In 2023, Argentina exported lithium worth $1.1 billion, ranking as the 18th national exporter. With a capacity of 55,000 tons, the country aims to produce 210,000 tons of lithium annually by 2030, currently having only 2 projects in operation,” continued the libertarian.

Crypto.ar

Marra acknowledges the significance of cryptocurrencies in streamlining transactions, minimizing intermediaries and enhancing traceability, expressing strong support for their economic and development potential in Argentina, especially in the case of Bitcoin BTC/USD and Ethereum ETH/USD.

Incidentally, Marra mentioned a recent presidential executive action allowing contracts in any currency, and legalizing cryptocurrencies as payment methods.

"This is a step towards the financial freedom of citizens," he commented.

Medical Cannabis And Freedom

Finally, while admitting limited knowledge about medical cannabis, he acknowledged the commercial potential of cultivation.

Referring to the growth of the medicinal industry in the U.S. and the unsatisfied demand for such products, he concluded: “Our administration will ensure ideal conditions for those companies who wish to invest in our country and create products that are beneficial to people.”

This article originally appeared on El Planteo.

More from El Planteo:

• Argentina: ¿Qué Expectativas Tienen los Usuarios de Cannabis sobre del Gobierno de Javier Milei?
• Marihuana Barrani en la Era Libertaria: ¿Un ‘Proceda’ a la Legalización?

Photo courtesy of Ramiro Marra