Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (CFK) has cancelled much of her upcoming public schedule this week, including her country’s Independence Day celebrations this week in order to continue recovering from an acute throat infection. 

CFK will perform her duties from inside the presidential residence, according to the Presidential Medical Unit.  

This comes as Argentina faces a host of problems.  Not least of which are negotiations in New York City to resolve Argentina’s dispute with American bondholders over US$1.5 Billion in debt.  Argentina wants to pay some of its creditors, but a group – called “vulture funds” – are refusing installments and demanding full payment, which would force Argentina to default.  And under US law, Argentina can’t pay some creditors without paying all of them.

It may turn out that CFK’s sore throat might have a practical effect:  Had she gone on this week’s scheduled visit to Paraguay, Vice President Amado Boudou would have temporarily stepped in to handle the day-to-day operations of the president’s office.  But he is under indictment in a corruption case and faces further questioning later this week.  That potentially embarrassing scene has been canceled. 

The 61-year old President Fernandez has dealt with more than her share of health issues in recent months.  In January, she was treated for hip pain and sciatica.  And last year, CFK underwent brain surgery to remove a blood clot, which was followed by several weeks’ recuperation.