Milei defends Justice Ministry official's World Cup trip

President Javier Milei has defended Santiago Viola, the deputy minister of Justice, who traveled to the United States to attend the World Cup. Viola, who is under the purview of Minister Juan Bautista Mahiques, was seen at matches, including Argentina's quarter-final victory.

Milei argued that while ministers are restricted from traveling, second-tier officials are permitted to take vacation time. "If a civil servant was entitled to vacation and decides to take it, I don't see the problem," Milei stated in a radio interview. He contrasted this with "people who cry about not making ends meet and show up with expensive tickets to games."

Viola's trip, initially planned for a weekend, was extended to eight days. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice confirmed that Viola had requested leave. He traveled on an Aerolíneas Argentinas flight and purchased tickets for resale, with his environment asserting that all expenses were self-funded.

While the presidency, through Secretary General Karina Milei, had suggested that neither the President nor cabinet members attend the World Cup, the President indicated this rule applied only to ministers, not their subordinates. The President and Secretary General reportedly declined invitations from FIFA and other entities to attend matches, including the final.

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Those who don't travel are the line of ministers; second lines are another matter. If a civil servant was entitled to vacation and decides to take it, I don't see the problem. I think it's much more complicated and repugnant for people who cry about not making ends meet and show up with expensive tickets to games.