Milei Freezes Out Vice President, Exposing Deep Rift in Argentine Government
Argentine President Javier Milei has publicly denounced his vice president, Victoria Villarruel, revealing a significant fracture within the executive branch just one year after their historic election victory, Bloomberg reports.
In a televised interview on LN+ Wednesday night, Milei declared that Villarruel is effectively sidelined, excluded from cabinet meetings and wielding no influence on decision-making. Their communication, he stated, is limited to “what’s institutionally necessary to carry out our roles.”
The president’s sharp criticism highlights a power struggle that has been simmering for months, pitting Villarruel against Milei’s sister, Karina, who holds a senior government position. Milei openly disparaged Villarruel, suggesting her focus lies with what he termed the “political caste,” a group he campaigned against, vowing to dismantle its influence. He contrasted this with his sister’s rapid rise in politics, stating, “My sister…who doesn’t know anything about politics, in six months created a political party. Look at where the pastry chef got us.”
This public fracturing is a stark contrast to Milei’s recent string of economic and political successes. While disagreements between Argentine presidents and vice presidents are not uncommon – Milei’s predecessor, Alberto Fernandez, frequently clashed with Cristina Kirchner – the current situation is unusual for its timing and intensity. Milei’s decisive action to marginalize Villarruel so early in his term underscores the depth of the rift.
Villarruel, a prominent lawyer and activist known for her work denouncing leftist guerrilla groups during Argentina’s 1976 dictatorship, holds differing political views from the president. Her focus on traditionally conservative issues, such as opposing abortion and LGBTQ+ education, and her recent meeting with former President Maria Estela Martinez de Peron in Madrid, followed by the unveiling of a Peron statue in the Senate, have apparently drawn Milei’s ire.
