The Argentine political landscape never ceases to amaze. In a scenario where traditional leadership is undergoing a crisis of confidence and society demands new faces, an unexpected name has started to circulate: Dante Gebel.
The spark was ignited when Juan Pablo Bre, secretary general of the Argentine Association of Navigators, stated: “We are trying to convince Dante Gebel, it would do the country good”. This was not an isolated comment; at least three unions and a faction of Peronism are quietly working to bring him closer to the political setup of 2027.
But who is this evangelical pastor that catches the interest of union and political sectors? Why does his figure appear today in a climate of leadership vacuum?
Gebel, born in 1968 in the town of Quilmes, began as a youth preacher there, quickly developing a disruptive style for the time: humor, dramatization, emotional storytelling, and a strong stage presence. This format led him to organize the historic “Super Classics of Youth,” which filled Vélez Sarsfield Stadium between 1996 and 1998, something unheard of for a youth evangelical event.
At just thirty years old, he became a sociocultural phenomenon: thousands of young people from all over the country traveled to see him preach in a hybrid style between a 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 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 a history of filling 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 invited 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 from hotels, renting auditoriums until finally buying what they now call "River Arena," where River Church operates, engaging in charity work around the world, and since the pandemic, they have significantly increased their investments in social initiatives. His weekly sermons broadcast live on YouTube attract around 100,000 viewers.
The Argentine comeback: media and cultural crossover
From 2021-2022, Gebel began to regain presence in Argentina.
He hosts a program on Radio 10, which he produces entirely from Los Angeles, just as he did with his show on Channel 9, where he interviewed key figures of Argentine culture, covering all travel and accommodation costs in the United States.
This same program moved to Channel 13, and in both media outlets, he always had the production support of Mario Pergolini. There is a solid professional relationship between them that first led Gebel to have a daily show in the nights on Vorterix called "The Divine Night," which achieved significant digital viewership, and they currently also share the screen in the project “Another Lost Day”, where the preacher shares reflections once a week.
Pergolini —always attentive to emerging cultural phenomena— sees him as a singular figure with multigenerational reach. This support strengthened Gebel's image as a top-tier communicator, not just a religious leader.
https://x.com/eltreceoficial/status/1975922836226076852?s=20
The present: stadiums, tours, and emotional leadership building
In the last three years, Gebel has filled stadiums in Argentina again—including Luna Park, Movistar Arena, and massive shows in Córdoba and Rosario—with events that blend 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 talking about politics, Gebel has positioned himself as a moral and communicational reference, which explains the fascination he generates in some unions and centers of power today.
Real candidate or just a compelling phenomenon?
For now, Gebel has not officially expressed interest in running for presidency. He has said in various interviews that he is not involved in partisan politics, but he also hints in interviews that he does not rule anything out.
The political world has started to take notice of him following Juan Pablo Bre’s statements, but the truth is that Peronism and at least three significant unions are discussing 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 invited him to pray publicly 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 a mere anecdote. It is a clear symptom of the crisis of representation that Argentina is going through. If his candidacy is confirmed, we would witness a showdown in 2027 between two outsiders; politics is entering uncharted territory.
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