Overview

• After reports of a $200,000 transfer and dozens of flights linked to businessman Fred Machado, José Luis Espert withdrew as La Libertad Avanza’s lead candidate in Buenos Aires.
• He also resigned the presidency and membership of the Chamber of Deputies’ Budget and Finance Committee, though he remains a deputy until December 10.
• President Javier Milei defended Espert’s honorability and framed the case as a political operation, but accepted his exit and backed Diego Santilli as the proposed replacement.
• Chief of Cabinet Guillermo Francos said Espert’s initial explanations created suspicion and acknowledged the episode damaged the campaign.
• Electoral authorities must decide whether to allow new ballots naming Santilli, a complex process with estimated costs up to $10 million that LLA may have to fund if so ordered.