The lead-up to the last Senate session before the informal winter recess was marked by two events: Argentina’s historic victory over England in the 2026 World Cup and the WhatsApp argument between Vice President Victoria Villarruel and the head of the La Libertad Avanza (LLA) Senate bloc, Patricia Bullrich. However, days later, the head of the Upper House and the former minister attempted a rapprochement to ease tensions.
Sources in the Upper House confirmed the meeting between Villarruel and Bullrich, which took place late Tuesday. At least until after Thursday’s session, it was known that the two belligerents had not spoken. «It’s not so easy, after doing what she did, to fix things so simply,» commented sources close to Villarruel, alluding to Bullrich. The former minister is blamed for leaking the chat of the dispute.
The rapprochement between the Vice President and the bloc leader comes amid reports that a collaborator of the former minister, Cristian Larsen, filed a complaint against Villarruel’s advisor, Mario «Pato» Russo, for alleged threats. Sources close to Bullrich confirmed the filing of the complaint with the courts. Those close to the Vice President downplay it. «Russo has not been notified,» they stated. Both sides are unaware if the judicial complaint was a topic of conversation in Tuesday’s conclave.
After Thursday’s session, it emerged that the LLA bloc leader was angry with Russo, a former advisor to President Javier Milei during the 2021 campaign, when he would win a seat as a deputy for the City of Buenos Aires. His departure preceded the purge of the space that would be initiated by the Secretary General of the Presidency, Karina Milei, along with other founders of the Milei project, such as former councilman Carlos Maslatón, former Buenos Aires legislator Ramiro Marra, and national deputy Oscar Zago.
The relationship between the head of the Senate and the bloc leader, until last week, could be described as institutional. Especially considering that the two ministries over which the Vice President wanted influence, Security and Defense, ended up in the hands of the former Juntos por el Cambio ticket: Bullrich and current national deputy Luis Petri.
Journalistic reports indicated that the Vice President did not want Thursday’s session to take place. «How can we have a session after almost winning the World Cup?» Villarruel snapped at Bullrich, who expressed her discontent with the agenda coming from the Casa Rosada. «To sell the country. No one wants to celebrate in the Senate by voting on a law that is outrageous because of the land chapter.»
The argument escalated to the point that Bullrich suggested something she would later publish, without naming her, on her X account. «If you don’t like it, resign! That’s what you should do if you write what you write.» Then, the Vice President accused the LLA bloc leader of being «obsequious,» and later told her to «suck up to Karina (Milei).»
Tuesday’s conclave sought to seal the peace, but waters remain troubled in the Senate. Meanwhile, the ruling party tries to show unity ahead of the recess, but internal wounds seem far from healing.
jaajaj mira estos dos gorilas arreglandose como si fueran algo! para mi se reúnen en secreto despues del escandalo del chat? vienen a llorar por sus amenazas? yo creo que se van a ir todos, no merecen ni un minuto mas en el poder! renuncien lacras!
Para mí esto huele a estrategia de patriotas uniendo fuerzas contra la izquierda. Los kukas delirando porque les tiembla el rancho. Yo creo que Villarruel y Bullrich se avivaron: la única forma de salvar la patria es guerra contra el comunismo. ¡VLLC! No hay renuncias, hay batalla.