Argentina’s President Javier Milei was attacked by protesters during a campaign stop in Lomas de Zamora, near Buenos Aires, on Wednesday, as anger over a corruption scandal linked to his sister intensified.
Milei, who is campaigning for October’s midterm elections, was riding in the back of a pickup truck greeting supporters when demonstrators threw bottles, rocks and even plants at his vehicle. He was quickly escorted away by his security detail and was not injured.
The motorcade, which also carried Karina Milei, the president’s influential sister and close adviser, left the scene as clashes broke out between Milei’s supporters and opponents.
The incident comes as Argentina is gripped by allegations of corruption at the national disability agency. Recordings leaked by former agency head Diego Spagnuolo claimed that Karina Milei diverted funds intended for disabled citizens. The accusations have dominated national media and sparked widespread anger.
Speaking earlier in the day, President Milei rejected the allegations as false. “Everything [Spagnuolo] says is a lie,” he told reporters. “We are going to bring him to justice and prove he lied.”
The October midterms will be the first electoral test of Milei’s popularity since he took office in December 2023, pledging to stabilise Argentina’s economy. His administration has reduced inflation and recorded a budget surplus but has faced criticism for deep cuts to social spending, including programmes for people with disabilities.