A group of technology entrepreneurs has initiated the construction of an autonomous ranch in Argentina, designed as a refuge during global crises such as nuclear war, climate disasters, or economic collapse. The project, named “Wamani,” spans 32,000 hectares in Mendoza province, situated at the base of the Andes mountains.
Over the past two years, the site has been developed with prefabricated housing units, geodesic domes, and an airstrip—located approximately one hour’s drive from the nearest settlement. The initiative is led by Martin Varsavsky, an Argentine-Spanish technology entrepreneur who acquired the land in December 2023 alongside five partners.
Varsavsky holds a 50% stake in the project and co-owns it with Daniel Lubezki, founder of Kind, and Alec Oxenford, Argentina’s ambassador to the United States. The group aims for complete self-sufficiency through solar energy generation and sustainable agricultural practices.
To maintain communication during global crises, the team plans to pre-download large language models onto solar-powered computers, enabling the creation of a limited internet network if major servers fail. Varsavsky described Argentina as one of the safest regions on Earth in the event of large-scale conflict, citing its distance from nuclear powers and abundant food and energy resources.
He asserts that South American nations could maintain functional societies even after an outbreak of nuclear war. The project has attracted interest from other technology figures, including PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, who recently purchased a property in Buenos Aires.
Meanwhile, the Argentine government is developing a citizenship-by-investment program to attract individuals seeking safety during global instability, leveraging the country’s geographical remoteness as a key advantage.
