Santiago Caputo, President Javier Milei’s communications advisor, faces accusations of threatening lawmaker Facundo Manes during a Congress session. The incident, caught on video, has prompted opposition leaders to call for an investigation, labeling the behavior as intimidation. Legal experts argue this reflects broader issues of institutional violence against dissenting voices amid a tense political climate in Argentina.
Opposition leaders in Argentina are demanding an investigation into the actions of President Javier Milei’s chief communications advisor, Santiago Caputo, who has been accused of threatening lawmaker Facundo Manes. The altercation occurred following President Milei’s address at the opening of Congress sessions, where video evidence showed Caputo confronting Manes in an aggressive manner, although the dialogue was inaudible. Manes characterized the aggression as part of an intimidation strategy employed by the government against its opponents.
The incident unfolded around 10 PM during Milei’s state-of-the-nation speech, when Manes accused the President of violating the National Constitution by attempting to impose two Supreme Court justices via decree. Milei retaliated with personal attacks, mocking Manes’ expertise as a neuroscientist and calling into question his political loyalty. Amid the turmoil, Manes displayed the Constitution to Caputo, who was visibly incensed from the gallery above.
After the speech concluded, reports emerged that Caputo confronted Manes in a corridor, allegedly making threatening remarks about using the state apparatus against him. Eyewitness accounts describe Caputo prodding Manes in the chest and an associate intervening to disrupt a recording of the altercation. This incident followed a prior controversy surrounding Caputo’s handling of an interview with Milei that had drawn public scrutiny.
The Democracia para Siempre bloc, to which Manes belongs, has condemned Caputo’s behavior and called for a thorough investigation. Opposition figure Eduardo Toniolli condemned the violent culture surrounding Milei’s supporters, which he characterized as resembling a sect that threatens and maligns opponents. He highlighted how Peronist lawmakers assisted Manes in safely exiting Congress amid continued hostility from libertarian supporters.
Legal experts have criticized Caputo’s actions, labeling them as bullying and institutional violence against an opposition member. Constitutional lawyer Eduardo Barcesat called for corrective measures, noting the reluctance to address such aggression directed at opposition figures. Individuals holding positions of power must be held accountable; there is a growing inquiry regarding the differential treatment applied to government officials versus opposition representatives.
The recent confrontation involving Santiago Caputo and lawmaker Facundo Manes has raised serious concerns about the aggressive tactics employed by the Milei administration against political opponents. Manes’ call for accountability underscores the broader implications for democratic governance in Argentina, as opposition leaders rally for an investigation into perceived threats to constitutional integrity and political discourse. As tensions escalate, the necessity for a serious examination of governmental conduct has become increasingly evident.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
