By CLARA PREVE and ISABEL DEBRE

 

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, 29 June. - (ANA) — Argentine President Javier Milei’s Cabinet chief and close ally, Manuel Adorni, resigned Saturday following a corruption scandal that has roiled the libertarian government, undermining its flagship campaign pledge to stamp out endemic graft in the political elite.

 

The departure of Adorni — who, as Milei’s former spokesperson, emerged in 2023 as the face of his harsh austerity program and anti-corruption drive — costs the president one of his most trusted and longtime aides.

 

A political outsider like the president, Adorni became a lightning rod for criticism in recent months as revelations about his extravagant spending and real estate purchases dominated headlines. Milei named Adorni Cabinet chief last year, giving him huge influence over negotiations with governors and other stakeholders in Congress.

 

Federal prosecutors are investigating Adorni for illicit enrichment stemming from alleged excesses of the sort that Milei, and Adorni himself, regularly criticized Argentina’s left-leaning populist opposition. Adorni denies wrongdoing.

 

“For the first time since December 10, 2023, I am going against your wishes,” Adorni wrote in his resignation letter to Milei that he posted to social media, referring to the date that Milei entered office. “Thank you for always trusting me and thank you for supporting me through this unjust, painful and exhausting process for me and my family.”

 

So far, Milei has defended his Cabinet chief, even as the scandal damaged his government’s public image, constrained his political leverage in negotiations with allies and undermined his communication about spending cuts to Argentines scraping by on salaries that increasingly fall behind inflation.

 

“Manuel is innocent,” Milei told local media in Spain during his visit there last week. “I stand by my ministers to the bitter end.”

 

Milei’s spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Adorni’s letter.

 

His sister and top adviser, Karina Milei, thanked Adori for his “tireless work” and described him as an “upright, valuable and much-loved” member of their libertarian party.  - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/29 June 2026 - - -