The Bank said the move meant it would not consider any new loans for the country, and access to current loans would be removed unless it was paid within the next 30 days.

Argentina had been hoping to strike a deal with the International Monetary Fund - another international lender - before the debt payment fell due.

The country's Economy Minister Roberto Lavagna said negotiations were advancing slowly, but that he hoped a deal with the IMF would be reached soon.

It is feared that defaulting on the World Bank loan could threaten future lending and humanitarian aid to Argentina.

The economic crisis in Argentina led to bank closures and bloody street protests earlier this year.

What does the situation mean for Argentina? Can the government secure IMF funds? If you're in Argentina, how will the crisis affect you?

This debate is now closed. A selection of your e-mails is published below.

Argentina no longer has any faith in its political leaders

Patrick, USA

As an Argentine and US citizen, I find it completely incomprehensible how politicians can blame the IMF for the current crisis. Argentina no longer has any faith in its political leaders since all they do is bicker and blame everyone but themselves. The IMF should not give any new loans to Argentina because it will not solve the problem of corruption and poor governmental institutions. If anything comes of this crisis, I hope it is the end to Peronism. Change will only come when Argentines demand an end to a system of incompetence and stealing.
Patrick, USA

The IMF has played a major role in Argentina's chaotic and catastrophic economic crisis over the past 10 years yet it refuses to accept responsibility for what has happened. Worse, it continues to insist that the government run a surplus while millions suffer increasing poverty and even hunger in a major agricultural exporting country.
Ralph Sato, USA

Argentina and the rest of "developing" nations all around the world need to say NO to any more business with the IMF and just stop paying those outrageous amounts to them and end this economic slavery. If Third World countries refuse to use them, they will have no purpose left. Find solutions within your own borders - it can be done!
Naomi, USA

Please don't forget us. Uruguay is the "collateral damage" of the irresponsibility of our so-called "brothers" (Argentina and Brazil). First, Brazil with its devaluation, forcing our small industry into a practical collapse; second, Argentina, practically collapsing our banking system with its financial debacle; and finally, now, Argentina's default on its $800m loan from the World Bank.
Juan L. Gonzalez, Uruguay

This kind of debt repayment is the kindling for war and suffering

Nicholas Cormier, Canada

Personally, I believe that the national heritage of one's country should not be liquidated to fulfil the wishes of rich lender countries. This type of behaviour is occurring throughout the world and this is only leading to further impoverishment and misery. This kind of debt repayment is the kindling for war and suffering. Better ways to help countries in need of capital must be imagined and implemented. Otherwise we will continue to have those with and those without.
Nicholas Cormier, Canada

If all repayments of interests on loans are added up, how many times over has Argentina already repaid its principal? I think there should be a limit to the profits lenders are allowed to make on loans - the amount of interests repaid should not exceed the principal by, say, more than 200% or 300%.
Alice Boainain-Schneider, Switzerland

The situation in Argentina is an indicator that the present global economic system is fundamentally flawed. It unjustly favours nations that possess a long-standing political and economic stability and security, as well as the attendant resources. These nations then deepen their positions of strength by offering development assistance to "weaker" countries with untenable, exorbitant rates of interest. This only serves to ensure the continued prevalence of this inhuman disparity. The only way forward for the world is to create an economic system based on the principle of sharing that recognises that the resources of the world belong to all nations equally and not the privileged few to hold the rest of the world to ransom.
David Johnstone, United Kingdom

Suggestions that the loans to Argentina should be written off are silly. In the past countries whose loans were written off or substantially reduced have accumulated even more debts and now demand another write-off. There is no end to it without good governance and sound economic policies.
Miroslav, USA

I do not blame those who do not want to lend any more money to Argentina

Mayra Di Lullo, Argentina

The situation at present in Argentina is pretty worrying for those abroad and mainly for those living in this country. I do not blame those who do not want to lend any more money to Argentina because the country has failed to return it, but I am terribly worried about the people who had little to do with the corrupt governments that keep taking their money from them, and who have led the country to the critical situation it is in now.
Mayra Di Lullo, Argentina

The worrying thing about the Argentine default on her debt is that Spanish banks have invested heavily in South America. The image of South America as a safe investment is being ruined by Argentina defaulting, and will result in problems for Spain and her citizens possibly wrecking any hopes of a much earlier recovery.
Clifford Mace, UK

I think the most important thing now in Argentina, is to try to give as many as possible people food to eat. Because what, I wonder, is the importance of Argentina paying the loan if people don't have food to eat?
Eddy G. Verveer, Thailand

The IMF and World Bank should accept that their own policies contributed to the country's present dismal situation

Gary Lord, Australia

While Argentina has long been rife with corruption, the IMF and World Bank should accept that their own policies contributed to the country's present dismal situation. A more long-term and humane response to the debt crisis in Argentina should be part of a wholesale global easing of debt payments by impoverished countries. It is naive of richer countries to suppose we can keep squeezing cash out of the poor and starving, without eventually suffering repercussions ourselves.
Gary Lord, Australia

I frankly am surprised that Argentina wasn't in worse trouble with the World Bank and wasn't going to pay the loan back at all. I believe it is the duty of the World Bank to extend the deadline to Argentina, and I hope our American friends too would pressure the Bank to be more lenient to a nation like Argentina. The economy collapsing, people rioting in the streets and on-and-off presidents, this severe economic turmoil must be solved and sanctions on the poor Latin Nation would not help whatsoever. It is a backwards approach.
Brian, Gibraltar (UK)

I've visited Argentina twice this year, each visit separated by six months. In April, in the aftermath of the crash, people were anxious, fearful and traumatised by the consequences of their economy collapsing around them, as I found out by talking with ordinary citizens as well as civil servants, business people and senior church people. Six months later I was surprised by how little had changed: my impression is that Argentine people have very little confidence in their president or his government and are gradually coming to the conclusion that they will have to get themselves out of this crisis by their own efforts.
Nick Odell, U.K.