BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentines have grown accustomed to the corruption inherent in their political landscape, to the point that even Peronist supporters of the long-standing populist movement use a resigned saying: “Roban, pero hacen,” which translates to “They steal, but they get it done.”
Recently, however, a growing corruption scandal has captured public attention, involving associates of libertarian President Javier Milei, a maverick economist who won the 2023 elections largely by positioning himself as an outsider against the corrupt Peronist elite, which he calls “the caste,” whose lavish spending contributed to Argentina’s economic turmoil.
As the country experiences harsh fiscal austerity, accusations have surfaced regarding his sister, Karina Milei, who is also the secretary general of the presidency, profiting from a bribery scheme tied to the disability agency. These serious allegations threaten to taint the government’s reputation ahead of the national midterm elections later this month, though Milei denies these charges.
“This appears similar to many other corruption cases in Argentina, tarnishing his image as distinct and apart from ‘the caste,’” stated Eugenia Mitchelstein, chair of the social sciences department at San Andrés University in Buenos Aires.
Leaked Audio Unveils Serious Claims
The scandal erupted last month after the local streaming platform Carnaval revealed secretly recorded conversations allegedly featuring Diego Spagnuolo, then-director of the National Disability Agency, discussing kickback schemes involving drug distributor Suizo Argentina.
In the recordings, the voice purported to be Spagnuolo claims that top officials, including Karina Milei and her close aide, Eduardo “Lule” Menem, accepted bribes ranging from $500,000 to $800,000 for government contracts. Allegations suggest that Karina Milei received 3-4% kickbacks from these deals.
Political Turmoil Ensues
The timing of this leak has severely impacted Milei’s administration, coinciding with critical provincial elections in Buenos Aires. Furthermore, the audio was released just after Milei vetoed benefit increases for people with disabilities, citing concerns over fiscal surplus. “Corruption scandals during times of economic hardship often have amplified repercussions,” remarked Ana Iparraguirre, a political analyst from Washington, highlighting the challenges Milei faces in expanding his support base.
Government’s Reaction
Initially silent for six days post-leak, Milei eventually dismissed Spagnuolo, who was also his personal lawyer. Federal judges began investigating the scandal, leading government officials to contest the authenticity of the recordings, claiming political opponents are trying to sabotage Milei’s electoral chances. During a campaign event, Milei angrily declared, “Everything (Spagnuolo) says is a lie,” amidst stone-throwing protests.
New Revelations Emerge
Just as Milei attempted to regain control over the narrative, new recordings featuring Karina Milei surfaced, showing her discussions inside the presidential palace. The journalist responsible for the leak claimed to possess a substantial amount of additional material, causing panic within the government. As tensions rose, the authorities conducted raids on Carnaval’s offices and other journalists’ properties, leading to widespread condemnation from press freedom advocates worldwide.
Karina Milei has found herself increasingly in the public eye amid escalating outrage and protests, with a catchy jingle mocking her becoming popular in Buenos Aires. Observers suggest that her involvement could severely limit Milei’s ability to navigate this political crisis, marking her as his “Achilles’ heel,” and prompting discussions about the implications of nepotism in politics.
