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Argentine Deputy Villaverde Publishes Drug Test Video In Machado Scandal

She faces calls to step down over alleged links to Claudio Ciccarelli, a cousin of accused trafficker Federico “Fred” Machado.

Overview

  • Lorena Villaverde posted footage of a narcotest and rinoscopy, showing results she says were negative for cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines, ecstasy and opiates.
  • The move followed growing pressure from PRO and Primero Río Negro for her to resign after José Luis Espert left his candidacy over alleged financing tied to Machado.
  • In Congress and on social media, figures including Martín Soria and Vilma Ripoll pressed claims about Villaverde’s connection to Ciccarelli and criticized her response.
  • Claudio Ciccarelli publicly rejected the accusations, saying he is neither a frontman nor in a relationship with Villaverde and noting he has not been accused or charged.
  • Machado remains accused of narcotrafficking and money laundering with U.S. extradition proceedings ongoing, and the latest reports do not cite new charges against Villaverde.