BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentine President Javier Milei’s Cabinet chief and close ally, Manuel Adorni, resigned Saturday following a corruption scandal that has roiled the government, undermining its flagship campaign pledge to stamp out endemic graft in the political elite.The departure of Adorni — who, as Milei’s former presidential spokesperson, emerged in 2023 as the face of his harsh austerity program and anti-corruption drive — costs the libertarian 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 lavish 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.”
