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La Rioja Relaunches Chachos Quasi‑Currency to Inject AR$4,000 Million

The provincial government says the temporary issue aims to boost public incomes to revive local spending as federal transfers fall short.

Overview

  • The government of Governor Ricardo Quintela announced a relaunch that will start Monday, August 17, with distribution through August 24 and an estimated AR$4,000 million entering the local economy.
  • Officials will give about 80,000 beneficiaries an extraordinary 50,000 Chachos each; the notes carry 1:1 parity with the peso and come in denominations from 1,000 to 50,000.
  • Chachos are BOCADE provincial bonds that can be spent at participating merchants, used to pay provincial taxes and municipal fees, and will be redeemable until December 29 with a non‑cumulative 1% bonus at maturity.
  • La Rioja reports hundreds of businesses have joined to accept the notes, though counts vary between roughly 500 and more than 800, and merchants may perform early rescues under the program rules.
  • The move follows prior issues of Chachos in 2024 and targeted uses in 2025 and is framed by the province as a response to constrained finances and lower federal transfers, with any permanent salary incorporation to be negotiated with unions and tied to future fiscal conditions.