Argentina's Deputy Justice Minister traveled to World Cup to watch matches

Santiago Viola, the second-highest official at Argentina's Ministry of Justice, traveled to the United States last week to watch the World Cup. Viola was seen in the lower stands of the Kansas City stadium on Saturday, attending Argentina's victory over Switzerland.

His stay, initially planned for the weekend, has been extended to eight days, with his return scheduled for Friday. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice confirmed that Viola had requested leave. He traveled on a Thursday flight to Miami, where he has family. Viola purchased his quarter-final ticket on the resale market, a practice legal in the U.S. with official channels for commercialization, though the price paid is unknown. His associates assert that all his expenses were self-funded.

An unwritten directive from the General Secretariat of the Presidency, led by Karina Milei, had suggested that neither the President nor any cabinet members would be in the United States between July 11 and August 19 to watch the national team in the World Cup. Viola's trip was presented as an "exception," with prior notification given to his ministry. Viola, who also serves as the legal representative for La Libertad Avanza nationally, had informed his ministry of his plans and was not vetoed by his political superior, the Secretary General of the Presidency.

"He went for the holiday weekend with his family. His father lives in Miami, and he returns on Friday," stated individuals close to the deputy minister, who took office in March. Viola, who is aligned with the President's sister, replaced Sebastián Amerio, who was close to presidential advisor Santiago Caputo and lost influence with the arrival of Mahiques and Viola at the ministry. Viola declined to comment when approached by LA NACION. Casa Rosada officials explained that, unlike the 2024 Copa América, there was no specific order against traveling this time. However, they highlighted that both President Javier Milei and the Secretary General of the Presidency "rejected all invitations from FIFA and other entities" to attend World Cup matches, including the final. Ministers, some of whom are known football fans and could have traveled, have also reportedly decided against attending.