Argentina's Milei Faces Sister Corruption Scandal Amid Election Tensions

Argentina is facing a major political scandal involving President Javier Milei's sister, Karina Milei, who is accused of profiting from a kickback scheme within the National Disability Agency. Audio recordings allegedly reveal that Karina and her senior aide accepted substantial bribes from a pharmaceutical distributor in exchange for government contracts, contradicting President Milei's image as an anti-corruption outsider. The scandal has intensified scrutiny on Milei's administration amid economic austerity and ahead of critical midterm elections, leading to the dismissal of Diego Spagnuolo, the former agency director implicated in the scheme. While Milei denies involvement and claims the accusations are politically motivated, investigations have been launched, and protests have erupted, threatening to destabilize his government. Analysts note that such corruption allegations resonate deeply in Argentina's fraught political landscape, particularly as Milei had campaigned against the entrenched Peronist elite corruption. The controversy challenges Milei's reformist narrative and may impact his party's prospects in upcoming elections.