In just a few weeks, the government has been caught in a storm that mixes espionage, corruption and power struggles.
corruption and power struggles. What started with the leak of private
private recordings ended in a complaint before the Federal Justice filed by the Government itself.
by the Government itself. According to presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni, it is a matter of
"an illegal intelligence operation to destabilize the country", which included eavesdropping within the very
the very same Casa Rosada.
But the released audios do not only talk about espionage: they target Diego
Spagnuolo, former director of the National Agency for Disability (Andis) and a man close to President Javier Milei.
close to President Javier Milei. In these conversations, a system of 3% to 8% bribes
system of bribes of 3% to 8% in the purchase of medicines, mentioning as beneficiaries no less
as beneficiaries none other than Karina Milei and Eduardo "Lule" Menem.
Espionage or smokescreen?
The Government claims that Karina Milei's recordings seek to politically condition the President in the run-up to the
politically condition the President in the run-up to a new electoral year. However,
However, the twist of the plot is striking: the accusation of espionage appeared just when Justice was moving forward with
Justice was moving forward with raids in Andis and in the drugstores involved, after the dissemination of the compromised audios
the diffusion of the compromising audios.
The political scenario is divided: is it a destabilization maneuver or an attempt to destabilize the government?
destabilization maneuver or an attempt to divert attention from a case of corruption that directly
that directly affects the President's inner core?
The central facts
● Official denouncement: Adorni confirmed the presentation before the Federal Justice
for illegal intelligence.
● Compromising audios: Spagnuolo talks about a distribution of bribes,
pointing out "3% for Karina".
● Judicial investigation: Judge Sebastián Casanello ordered raids in.
the Andis, the Suizo Argentina drugstore and private homes, with seizure of money, cell phones and documentation.
money, cell phones and documentation.
● Political consequences: Milei dismissed Spagnuolo, but the opposition demands explanations and directly targets
demands explanations and points directly to his sister.
A blow to the pro-government narrative
1. Falling image: recent polls show a strong erosion of trust in the government.
erosion of confidence in the government.
2. Unfulfilled promises: the case contradicts Milei's narrative of "putting an end to the caste
caste", since the suspicions involve his closest circle.
3. Institutional impact: the mix of espionage, corruption and justice opens a new front that undermines the credibility of the system.
front that undermines the credibility of the political system.
4. Opposition to the attack: from Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to the leaders of Juntos por el Cambio
of Juntos por el Cambio compare the situation with the big scandals of bribery in public works.
of bribery in public works.
A case that may redefine the scenario
The combination of illegal wiretapping and corruption places Javier Milei's administration in front of its biggest crisis since it took office.
in front of its biggest crisis since he took office. Although Justice has not yet issued
the political damage is already done: the figure of Karina Milei, until now seen as the most solid supporter of the
as the administration's most solid support, was left under a shroud of suspicion.
What happens in the coming weeks will not only mark the future of the libertarian government, but also the political climate.
government, but also the political climate of the country.
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