Buenos Aires Minister Dismisses Riquelme Gubernatorial Rumors, Criticizes Milei Administration

Speculation surrounding Juan Román Riquelme's potential political ambitions has been firmly put to rest, at least for now, by Andrés Larroque, the Minister of Community Development for the province of Buenos Aires. Addressing rumors of the Boca Juniors president considering a run for governor in 2027, Larroque stated he had never heard such intentions, either from Riquelme himself or within political circles. "No, the truth is, I haven't," Larroque told Radio La Red, adding that Riquelme already has a significant role as president of Boca Juniors.

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I never heard it. In our space, I never heard it. No, the truth is, I haven't.

Larroque also took aim at President Javier Milei's administration, criticizing its focus on what he termed "allergies to itself" and its perceived detachment from the populace's real concerns. He specifically pointed to Milei's public backing of José Luis Espert, a figure embroiled in controversy, as an example of the government becoming entangled in internal disputes and aligning with "highly questioned characters" rather than addressing societal problems. This, Larroque suggested, is a symptom of losing touch with reality.

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I didn't know he was aspiring to that. I've never heard it. In all the meetings I've had, I haven't heard anything about it. He's the president of Boca and I think he has enough with that.

Looking towards the future of Peronism, Larroque welcomed the emergence of new leaders, citing former San Juan governor Sergio Uñac's potential presidential bid as a positive development. He stressed that internal competition benefits the party and that all members are invited to participate in the ongoing process of rebuilding. However, he cautioned against premature presidential candidacies, including that of current governor Axel Kicillof, emphasizing the immediate need for internal organization, clarity, and a demonstration of political unity and effectiveness to provide certainty to the public. The focus, he insisted, must be on restoring order and authority within the movement, learning from the contradictions experienced between 2019 and 2023.

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I think the Government is in a state of allergy to itself. It needs to look more at society and worry about the real problems of the people. Meanwhile, one sees that the President clings to the problems of very questionable characters by Justice and with a categorical judgment from public opinion. That happens when you disconnect from reality and get into internal disputes.