Argentina: Disability Agency Restructured Amid Corruption Allegations

The Argentine government has announced the dissolution of the national disability agency (ANDIS) and its integration into the Ministry of Health, following corruption allegations involving President Javier Milei's sister, Karina.

Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni stated that ANDIS, which provided assistance to over 3 million beneficiaries, will now fall under the Ministry of Health. This follows an audit that revealed thousands of cases of individuals receiving aid without being entitled to it, leading to the suspension of benefits and protests.

The agency was at the center of a scandal after the leak of audio excerpts, attributed to former director Diego Spagnuolo, who alleged that Karina Milei received 3% of ANDIS payments to the pharmaceutical company Suizo Argentina. Mr. Spagnuolo was dismissed and is under investigation, while denying the allegations, claiming that the audio excerpts are fabricated. Karina Milei also denies the allegations.

Karina Milei was summoned to give explanations to the Parliament in October, but did not appear.