Protests erupted this week outside tech billionaire Peter Thiel’s mansion in Buenos Aires, where demonstrators voiced their concerns regarding his presence in Argentina. This gathering followed a parliamentary debate focused on the implications of Thiel’s relocation, as reported by The Guardian.
Wearing white masks at the wrought-iron gates of the $12 million residence, protesters displayed signs with messages such as “Peter the Thief” and “No to Peter Thiel’s Laws.” Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, purchased the mansion in April when he moved his family to Argentina.
The billionaire’s transition to Argentina has raised alarms in the country, with some speculating that it may be part of a strategy to safeguard himself in the event of a Third World War. Argentina, rich in agricultural resources and located deep in the Southern Hemisphere, is viewed by some as an ideal refuge for a tech mogul awaiting potential apocalyptic scenarios.
These speculations stem from numerous remarks Thiel has made in recent years, often during private lectures, regarding the arrival of the “Antichrist” and the end of the world.
Concerns Over Thiel’s Ties to the Argentine President
However, recent developments in Argentina indicate that Thiel may have less apocalyptic motivations. Shortly after his move, Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies hosted a six-hour debate discussing a comprehensive set of legislative changes proposed by the right-wing government of President Javier Milei.
Thiel, Milei, and an official linked to Argentine intelligence were invited to respond to inquiries but did not attend the session, according to Juan Marino, a member of the Chamber and leader of the leftist Piquetero party.
Marino characterized the new legislation as a “techno-fascist package” designed to consolidate the power of American tech billionaires in the country. While Thiel has not publicly endorsed the legislation, Marino and others argue that the timing of its proposal is telling.
Legislative Changes Favoring Silicon Valley Billionaires
The Chamber of Deputies’ session followed public requests from deputies of various parties for information regarding Thiel, his meetings, and his business dealings, none of which received responses.
One proposed law, dubbed “super RIGI,” would establish an investment regime offering foreign companies favorable tax rates and a 30-year guarantee against legislative changes. Among the investments Milei hopes to attract are explicitly mentioned data centers for artificial intelligence.
Another failed law sought to eliminate most restrictions on foreign purchases of land in Argentina, while a decree would require certain government departments to provide state intelligence services with vast amounts of personal data about Argentine citizens.
There is no evidence that Thiel has directly supported these laws. However, since moving his family to Buenos Aires, he has held closed-door meetings with Milei and key presidential advisers, a level of access uncommon for a foreign investor.
Marino and others see the legislative package as reflecting Thiel’s broader interests in the realm of techno-libertarianism.
“Argentina as a Laboratory”
The decree mandating the distribution of vast amounts of personal data to state intelligence comes at a time when Argentine deputies have increasingly raised pointed questions about undisclosed contracts between Palantir, the company co-founded by Thiel, and the Argentine government, to which no answers have been provided.
Marino stated that the land law could pave the way for semi-autonomous “startup cities,” akin to the controversial Próspera project in Honduras, which Thiel has expressed support for as a means for libertarians to create zones free from government control.
“Argentina is kind of a laboratory,” said Cecilia Nicolini, who represents Argentina in the regional parliament of Mercosur. She noted that American tech billionaires are using Argentina as a testing ground because they have in power a man, Milei, who is even more extreme than they are.
During the summer, Milei wrote an article in the Financial Times advocating for the creation of “non-human corporations”—”entities managed by AI agents or robots,” in his words. This proposal echoes a vision presented by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, who predicted in 2024 that the world might soon be managed by AI-controlled companies. However, such ideas raise questions about the legal accountability of these proposed commercial entities.
