Peronists Scramble to Forge Unity Alliance in Buenos Aires

Argentina’s Peronist movement faces a critical juncture as factions convene this Saturday in Merlo to solidify a new alliance. The aim: to register an electoral front by next Wednesday for the Buenos Aires province elections.

Key Development

As the deadline looms, deep-seated distrust complicates the path to unity, with some factions preparing backup plans should the main alliance fail. One mayor close to the right movement to the future noted the situation is delicate, hoping it will ultimately bring clarity to the political landscape. The movement’s leader stated, “We are all going to reach 9 with different folders,” indicating that some will pursue unity while also hedging their bets.

Sources close to Governor Axel Kicillof claim to have secured the necessary endorsements to register their own alliance. The significance of these moves will become clear after Saturday’s Congress, revealing the true extent of commitment to a unified front.

Location Dispute Resolved

Even the location of the Congress became a point of contention, with Fernando Espinoza initially pushing for it to be held in La Matanza. Ultimately, a consensus was reached to hold it in Merlo. The hybrid format of the meeting will include both in-person and virtual participation from key leaders. Máximo Kirchner, as president of the Buenos Aires PJ, will be present. The Massa Renovating Front will dispatch its provincial congressmen.

Sticking Points Remain

One unresolved issue revolves around the appointment of proxies, who have final review of lists before they go to electoral justice. The right movement to the future seeks its own representation, envisioning a system of “crossed proxies” requiring mutual authorization. Some are downplaying this idea, asserting that the Congress will not delve into such specifics.

Doubts Persist About Unity

Despite the expressed desire for a common front, skepticism remains. “We would like to think of a common closure, but the situation is complicated,” admitted a mayor aligned with the right movement to the future. Other participating forces are equally wary.

Mayors Hold the Pen

“If there is agreement, nobody gets unmarked: the mayors send and assemble,” a communal leader involved in the negotiations stated. This underscores the significant role of mayors in shaping candidacies, especially with the absence of primary elections.

Rejection of Collector Lists

The use of collector lists to manage local competitions has faced opposition. The right movement to the future has firmly rejected the concept, closing off that avenue for resolving internal disputes. Governor Axel Kicillof holds the key, as he would need to authorize such lists via decree.

Looking Ahead

Following Sunday’s talks in La Plata, a small working group will focus on agreeing on candidacies, balancing both the upcoming September election and the October national elections. Axel Kicillof’s group will focus on the Buenos Aires assembly, while Máximo Kirchner and Sergio Massa will focus on the national stage. As the deadline for registering electoral fronts approaches, the Peronist movement faces a critical test of its ability to unite.

Kirchnerism’s Strategy

For Kirchnerism, building a united front is crucial to counter Javier Milei in Congress, a strategy emphasized by Cristina Kirchner before her conviction. The registration deadline looms next Wednesday, and the subsequent ten days will be crucial for finalizing candidacies and list compositions.

Speculation on Candidates

Speculation about a potential candidacy for Máximo Kirchner has waned recently. Some within the MDF believe he will instead focus on building political influence to support another leader, potentially Verónica Magario, for a prominent role. According to a recent report, third-party and independent candidates are expected to play a significant role in the upcoming elections, potentially influencing the final outcome by as much as 15% Source: IFES.

Mysterious ‘Ghostbusters’ Video Raises Eyebrows in Argentina

A bizarre video released by Argentine authorities depicting four masked individuals has sparked confusion and controversy across the nation. The federal government, led by Security Minister Patricia Bullrich and Governor Maximiliano Pullaro, immediately seized upon the footage, labeling the figures as "ghostbusters" and highlighting it as evidence of a growing drug trafficking threat.

But Argentine officials familiar with drug trafficking operations aren’t buying the narrative. They find the video’s authenticity questionable and suspect a calculated move for political gain.

The video, which surfaced on social media, shows the masked individuals speaking in a surprisingly articulate manner, devoid of the customary slang often associated with local drug gangs. Their pronouncements – ("We are installed in Greater Buenos Aires") – seem jarringly incongruent with Argentine drug trafficking lingo, raising doubts about their genuine connection to organized crime.

One prosecutor remarked, "The video reeks of police involvement. And the Buenos Aires federal police were the first ones to send it to us."

Adding fuel to the skepticism, the masked figures deliver an almost evangelical message, urging young people to avoid criminality and prioritize education.

"Do something for the kids so they don’t become criminals, do school work," one of them pleads. Such messaging is unconventional for Argentine gangs, leading many investigators to dismiss it as fabricated.

Political Maneuvering or Genuine Threat?

The timing of the video’s release has also raised eyebrows. It comes after a period of relative calm in Rosario, a city notorious for its homicidal drug wars. While murders have decreased significantly recently, a sting of violent incidents in early November, including the assassination of Rosario Central bar director Pillín Bracamonte and young entrepreneur, fueled concerns that the peace was fragile.

Argentina confronts two diverging theories regarding the lull in violence: the government’s assertion that their aggressive tactics, including strict prison regimes, have effectively curbed criminal activity; and the belief among some law enforcement officials that a silent pact exists between the government and drug cartels, ensuring a decrease in bloodshed for mutual benefit.

The video’s emergence has further clouded the situation. If genuine, it could signal a potential unraveling of this non-aggression pact or the emergence of splinter groups vying for a greater slice of the illegal drug trade.

Bullrich’s Controversial Stance

Adding to the controversy, Minister Bullrich has seized on the video to promote her hardline stance on drug trafficking, labeling it a case of “narcoterrorism.” She has called for sweeping anti-crime legislation, including harsher punishments and the expansion of state surveillance capabilities.

However, Bullrich’s past actions have fueled distrust among critics. She has been accused of using "fake news" to bolster her political agenda, as evident in cases like the wrongful accusation of two young men visiting family in Lebanon as terrorists, and the detention of a ping pong teacher and a hairdresser on unfounded terrorism charges.

Many fear Bullrich’s rhetoric could pave the way for even more draconian measures, including the heavier involvement of the military in security operations – a prospect that has been met with resistance from within the armed forces.

As investigations into the "ghostbusters" video continue, the controversy surrounding its origins and its implications for Argentina’s fight against drug trafficking shows no signs of abating.