The Argentine politics never ceases to surprise. In a scenario where traditional leadership is experiencing a crisis of confidence and society demands new faces, an unexpected name has begun to circulate strongly: Dante Gebel.
The spark was ignited when Juan Pablo Bre, General Secretary of the Argentine Association of Aeronavigators, stated: "We are trying to convince Dante Gebel, he would do good for the country". The statement was not an isolated comment, at least three unions and a faction of Peronism are quietly working to bring him closer to the political formation of 2027.
But who is this evangelical pastor that arouses interest in union and political sectors? Why does his figure emerge today in a climate of leadership vacuum?
Gebel, born in 1968 in the town of Quiles, began as a youth preacher, where he quickly developed a disruptive style for the time: humor, dramatization, emotional storytelling, and a strong stage presence. This format led him to organize the historic “Súperclásicos de la Juventud,” which filled the Vélez Sarsfield Stadium between 1996 and 1998, something unthinkable for a youth evangelical event.
At just thirty years old, he became a sociocultural phenomenon: thousands of youths from all over the country traveled to see him preach in a hybrid style between show, concert, and spiritual message.
Without being a pastor of a specific church, his influence as a national youth leader grew in the late 90s and early 2000s, Gebel broke new barriers: he filled the Obras Stadium, returned to Vélez, and organized iconic events like the act at the Obelisk, where he gathered tens of thousands in the heart of Buenos Aires. He also has in his history the fact of filling the River Plate Stadium.
His rise positioned him as one of the most influential speakers in the Latin American evangelical world. For this reason, he was called by the historic "Crystal Cathedral" located in California to take charge of the Hispanic congregation. After some time there, the Cathedral was sold, and Gebel, along with his followers, began to move into hotels, renting auditoriums until finally purchasing what they now call "River Arena," which operates the River Church that carries out charitable work worldwide and primarily since the pandemic has multiplied their investments in social actions. His weekly sermons broadcast live on YouTube attract around 100,000 connected viewers.
The Argentine comeback: media and cultural crossover
Starting in 2021-2022, Gebel began to regain presence in Argentina.
He hosts a show on Radio 10, which he produces entirely from Los Angeles, as he also did with his cycle on Channel 9 where he interviewed leaders of Argentine culture, inviting them and covering all travel and accommodation costs in the United States.
This same program moved to Channel 13, and in both media he always had the production of Mario Pergolini. Between them, there is a solid professional relationship that first led Gebel to have a nightly daily cycle on Vorterix called "La Divina Noche" that garnered many digital views, and they currently also share the screen in the project "Otro Día Perdido", where the preacher shares reflections once a week.
Pergolini—always attentive to emerging cultural phenomena—considers him a singular figure with multigenerational reach. This support strengthened Gebel's image as a top-level communicator, not just a religious leader.
https://x.com/eltreceoficial/status/1975922836226076852
The present: stadiums, tours, and emotional leadership building
In the past three years, Gebel has filled stadiums again in Argentina— including Luna Park, Movistar Arena, and massive shows in Córdoba and Rosario—with events that mix music, humor, spirituality, and an emotional message that resonates with both evangelical families and a secular audience.
His discourse has become increasingly social, more reflective, and more focused on the Argentine crisis. Without explicitly discussing politics, Gebel has positioned himself as a moral and communicational reference, which explains the fascination he currently generates in some unions and centers of power.
Real candidate or a calling phenomenon?
For now, Gebel has not officially expressed interest in running for president. He has stated in various interviews that he is not involved in party politics, but he does indicate in interviews that he does not rule anything out.
The political world has begun to notice him after Juan Pablo Bre's statements, but the reality is that Peronism and at least 3 major unions discuss in the corridors that they see in Dante Gebel an opportunity to regain power in Argentina.
Gebel is not far from politics. Perhaps his most visible connection is his close friendship with Nayib Bukele, to the point that the Salvadoran president called him to publicly pray at the inauguration ceremony.
https://x.com/LaVozDeGuateOf/status/1797117446769287180?s=20
The emergence of Dante Gebel's name in union and political conversations should not be read as an anecdote. It is a clear symptom of the crisis of representation that Argentina is experiencing. If his candidacy is confirmed, we would be witnessing in 2027 the battle of two outsiders, as politics is entering unknown territory.
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