Espert Resigns from Budget Commission – Deputies Tension
Budget Commission Attempts to Oust Libertarian President Amid Drug Trafficking Allegations
Table of Contents
A political scandal is unfolding in Argentina as the Budget Commission seeks to remove José Luis Espert, its president, following accusations of ties to drug trafficking and a refusal to address the concerns. The move comes as the commission prepares to review government accounts.
Last updated: October 1, 2025, 10:00 PM PDT
expulsion Motion Gains Broad support
The motion to expel Espert was supported by a majority of the 49 members of the Budget Commission, representing a diverse coalition including the Union for the Homeland party, leftist factions, provincial blocs, and the civic Coalition. The accusations center around alleged connections to businessman Fred Machado, who has been convicted of drug trafficking, and Espert’s reportedly disruptive behavior within the commission.
Germán Martínez, leader of the Kirchner bloc, stated, “We ask you to save us the agony of having him as president, to step aside,” and urged for Espert’s immediate removal.
Espert Defies Calls to Step Down
Despite the widespread calls for his resignation, José Luis Espert remained defiant. He reportedly responded to the accusations with, “We are going to make the officials pass.We lost a lot of time,” and refused to yield the floor for debate.
Government Officials Appear Before Commission
The session was further intricate by the appearance of Treasury Secretary Carlos guberman and Finance Secretary Pablo Quirno. Guberman requested an expedited hearing due to his observance of Yom Kippur, prompting objections from the opposition.
The ruling party attempted to refocus the session on the budget itself, with Gabriel Bornoroni stating, “You don’t have to talk about anything other than the budget.” However, the allegations surrounding Espert continued to loom large, with even Patricia Bullrich calling for a swift clarification of the accusations.
Further Reading
La Campana Libertaria en Crisis por Espert y el Narcoescándalo (La Plataforma)