The endless crisis triggered by Manuel Adorni in the government came to an end this Saturday, when the now former Chief of Staff published a resignation letter addressed to President Javier Milei. The departure had been simmering for weeks, but reached its boiling point when even Karina Milei herself, the president’s sister and Adorni’s main supporter, let go of his hand.
Libertarian sources confirmed that Patricia Bullrich had told the Secretary General of the Presidency that it was impossible to manage the legislative agenda with Adorni turned into a sort of sword of Damocles in Congress. Karina asked for a few days to resolve the situation and convince her brother that there was no other way out but to eject the official.
Javier Milei, who from Spain continued to defend Adorni, opened the door to his departure by saying: «If they consider him guilty, I’ll boot him out, I’ll eject him with a kick.» But Argentine justice is not known for its speed, and the President conditioned his decision on a ruling that could take years. However, at the Rosada they interpreted those words as the starting point for the definitive removal of the Chief of Staff.
The replacement operation moved forward steadily on Friday. The order was clear: have Adorni resign to prevent Milei from breaking his word. The official was reluctant to step aside and managed to prolong his agony until the President’s return from Spain, but the decision had already been made. They even worked on the text that would justify the «step aside.»
The resignation was announced five hours before the start of another Scaloneta match in the United States, in an attempt to overshadow the news. In his letter, Adorni thanked Milei for «understanding the reasons» and accepting his resignation, and blamed all his troubles on the media, accusing them of manipulating the information disseminated in recent months.
But the reality is that the official’s enrichment was such that it took him months and multiple corrections to try to shield himself from justice. His explanations were farcical, like the $500,000 from crypto investments that he only decided to spend frantically upon entering public office. And this Friday it was revealed that he had made purchases of video game equipment using credit cards of officials in his area for nearly 6 million pesos.
It remains to be seen what future awaits the now former official. His letter suggests there will be no embassy to retreat to, knowing he would never get Senate approval. But he could keep his seat on the board of YPF, where directors earn an average annual compensation of around US$954,000. Adorni had not been receiving any payment until now due to incompatibility, but upon leaving the Chief of Staff position, he would be free to collect those fees.
Beyond how he will pay his debts, the former Chief of Staff’s biggest concern is his legal situation. Now outside the protection of public office, he will face a justice system that will no longer hesitate to move against him. There are no signs that the contacts between Minister Mahiques and Judge Ariel Lijo in Paris will bring any relief.
The outcome of this story began to take shape in Congress, where even allies let go of Adorni’s hand. In the Senate, Thursday’s session had to be suspended due to lack of quorum, while in the Chamber of Deputies the ruling party managed to stop the opposition’s offensive. But for this week, it was expected that the Adorni case would be vigorously debated in committees. The only way to ease tensions and resume the official agenda was his departure, finally achieved.
Para mí esto huele a que se les cayó un facturero más. No bancaban a este vendehumo, un chorro de mierda del círculo rojo. Ojalá que todo el gobierno se vaya a la mierda, viva la lucha, fuera los fachos.
Para mí este corrupto de mierda se tenía que ir, Adorni. Karina y Patricia hicieron lo que el país necesitaba, limpiar el Estado de estos garcas que viven de nuestros impuestos. Viva la libertad carajo!