Love, legal battles, and a farm: An Argentine's uncertain future in Belarus

A chance meeting in Spain led to a farm in Belarus—until bureaucracy put everything at risk. Now, one fine could unravel a family's future.

, and Administrator

2026 May 10 . 2:02 PM

1 min read

The image shows a painting of a farm scene with cows and a man in a field, surrounded by huts,... — The image shows a painting of a farm scene with cows and a man in a field, surrounded by huts, trees, hills, and a sky with clouds. The painting is titled "Cows and Horses in a Landscape" and was created by Jan Brueghel the Younger.

Love, legal battles, and a farm: An Argentine's uncertain future in Belarus

An Argentine man named Freddy has built a new life in Belarus after meeting his partner Marina in Spain. The couple now lives in Kukova, a small hamlet in the Maladzyechna District, where they run a modest farm. But their future remains uncertain due to legal troubles over Freddy’s residency status.

Freddy and Marina first met in Alicante, Spain, during the summer of 2024. Marina, originally from Minsk, had once competed as a professional track and field athlete. After their relationship began, Freddy decided to relocate to Belarus a year and a half ago, partly so Marina’s children could start school there.

Before settling in Kukova, the couple bought a house in the Valozhyn District, complete with a large apple orchard. However, disputes with neighbours forced them to sell the property. They later purchased an old school building, planning to turn it into an eco-hotel. For now, they live on a small farm, raising rabbits, dogs, and horses.

Freddy’s stay in Belarus hit a snag when traffic police fined him for driving with an invalid Argentine licence. The incident was reported to immigration authorities, putting him at risk of deportation. Before moving, his only knowledge of Belarus came from Marina’s past life there—and the fact that locals love potatoes.

The family’s future in Belarus now hangs on Freddy’s legal status. If deported, their plans—including the eco-hotel project—could collapse. For now, they continue life on their farm, waiting for a resolution.