Argentina buys $808 million in drawing rights from US to pay IMF, media reports

BUENOS AIRES, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Argentina bought $808 million in ​Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)from the ‌U.S. Treasury to meet an ‌interest payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), local newspaper La Nacion reported on Sunday.

The ⁠deal came ‌after the U.S. provided essential financial assistance ‍last year to avert a currency crisis in Argentina.

SDRs are an ​international reserve asset created ‌by the IMF and based on a basket of major currencies.

Under ultraliberal Argentine President Javier Milei, the South ⁠American country has ​become a key ​ally of the government of U.S. President Donald ‍Trump ⁠in the region.

Argentina's economy ministry did not immediately respond ⁠to a request for comment.

(Reporting ‌by Nicolas Misculin; Editing by ‌Jacqueline Wong)