Protests Erupt During Javier Milei’s Campaign Event
Argentine President Javier Milei was evacuated by his security team during a campaign event, following escalating protests where stones and other objects were thrown at him. This incident occurred on Wednesday while Milei, alongside his sister and Chief of Staff Carina Milei, was attending a local and midterm election rally.
As the protests intensified, demonstrators began to charge the vehicle carrying Milei. One rock reportedly hit the hood, with more debris flying above him. In the chaos, the truck sped away, leaving behind shouts of “Get out, Milei!” as clashes also broke out among the crowd.
Manuel Adorni, a spokesperson for Milei, stated on social media that opposition members had “attacked” the president’s convoy but confirmed that there were no injuries. He characterized the attackers as old political extremists, claiming their tactics mirrored violence from the past.
“They stoned the caravans where the country’s president was. There are no injuries,” he noted, emphasizing a desire to move beyond such approaches.
Following the disruption, Milei shared a photo where she gave a thumbs-up alongside her sister, critiquing the opposition’s violent actions, which she labeled as an empty display of ideas.
The event took place in Lomas de Zamora, a district in Buenos Aires known for its Peronist opposition. This confrontation adds to the ongoing scandal involving several individuals close to Milei, including his sister, who are facing accusations related to bribery in Argentina’s disability agency.
This week, Argentine authorities conducted searches as part of a criminal investigation linked to a kickback scheme involving Diego Spagnuolo, the agency’s director. However, Milei’s administration has already dismissed the accusations as a precautionary measure.
During the rally on Wednesday, Milei addressed the scandal publicly for the first time, reiterating his criticisms of Spagnuolo. Local media reported his firm stance, as he declared, “Everything he says is a lie. We’re going to take him to court and prove he lied.”
Audio recordings that surfaced suggest Spagnuolo had discussed bribery within the agency, hinting at payments made to Milei’s sister, thus deepening the controversy.
