Title: Scandal Erupts in Argentina’sTGICEE Milei Faces Backlash for Appointing Controversial Head of DGI
BUENOS AIRES — The appointment of Andrés Vázquez as the new head of Argentina’s Dirección General Impositiva (DGI) has sparked a firestorm of criticism, with opposition parties calling for his removal and questioning President Javier Milei‘s judgment. Vázquez, who is accused of failing to declare part of his wealth to the Anti-Corruption Office (OA), has further inflamed the situation by promoting the ascension of his partner, María Eugenia Fanelli, within the tax collection agency.
The Coalition Civic (CC), which had previously filed a legal complaint against Vázquez for omitting three overseas properties worth over $2 million in his asset declaration, submitted a new complaint based on La Nación’s report revealing the questionable promotion of Fanelli. CC lawmakers Mónica Frade and Maximiliano Ferraro accused Vázquez of favoring his partner and enriching her at taxpayers’ expense, with a near-doubling of her salary.
"Having your partner as your boss is a clear breach of independence and transparency," Frade and Ferraro stated. "It’s a conflict of interest, and it’s prohibited by law."
Vázquez’s appointment continues to draw scrutiny after it was revealed that he purchased three properties in the United States through offshore companies, which he failed to disclosure to the OA. While Milei and the ruling party have remained silent on the matter, opposition figures have been vocal in their criticism.
Margarita Stolbizer of the Encuentro Federal bloc accused the government of protecting Vázquez, stating, "Now they’re not going to fire him? Are their own interests untouchable?"
Pablo Juliano, the leader of the Democratic for Always bloc, slammed Milei for surround himself with "the same old political elite" and accused the government of "double standards."
Fernando Carbajal, another lawmaker from the bloc, warned that the government’s inaction on the matter smacked of the corruption and nepotism of the 1990s Menem era.
Delia Ferreira Rubio, the president of the NGO Poder Ciudadano, condemned Vázquez’s actions as "plain and simple corruption."
In their legal complaint, Frade and Ferraro argue that Vázquez violated both the Public Ethics Law and the ARCA (Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero) code of ethics by promoting his partner.
The opposition has lambasted the government’s silence on the matter, with CC lawmakers Paula Oliveto and Hernán Reyes taking to social media to express their disapproval.
As the scandal unfolds,Argentines are left questioning their leaders’ commitment to transparency and accountability, with many calling for stronger anti-corruption measures and increased oversight of public officials.
