The governor of Buenos Aires province, Axel Kicillof, harshly criticized President Javier Milei, warning that Argentina is experiencing 'a desertion by the national government' and accused the current administration of carrying out 'one of the most centralized and unitary' experiences in recent history.
The statements were made during an event at the Formosa Polytechnic Institute, which Kicillof led alongside the local governor, Gildo Insfrán, as part of the signing of cooperation agreements between the two provinces on security, research, and technology application.
The ministers of Buenos Aires, Javier Alonso (Security) and Andrés Larroque (Community Development), also participated in the meeting.
'More than a visit, this is a reunion. I lived in Formosa in 1998, and many of the officials who receive me today are old friends,' Kicillof stated, while affirming that the signed agreements constitute 'a true political statement in the face of the serious economic and social situation the country is going through.'
In this sense, he raised the need to advance 'a true pact among Argentine provinces to return a federal look to the Nation.'
The Buenos Aires governor assured that the provinces 'are suffering from the abandonment, absence, and desertion of the national government,' and maintained that the Milei administration has ceased to fulfill obligations established by the Constitution.
'It is not just a political decision: it is illegal and unconstitutional,' he emphasized.
As an example, he detailed that in Buenos Aires province there are 'about a thousand public works abandoned by the Nation,' including schools, roads, sewers, water and energy works, universities, and port projects.
Kicillof also criticized the interruption of sensitive national policies, such as the distribution of oncology drugs, food, and teaching materials: 'The provinces act as a shield and a safety net, but it is not enough,' he warned.
In the area of security, he questioned the defunding of federal forces and posed a direct question: 'Who will guard the borders if the national government withdraws?'
In this context, he highlighted the role of Formosa in territorial control and stated that 'with its own resources, this province guards the borders.'
Furthermore, he pointed out that the fight against drug trafficking cannot be separated from border control. 'The national state failed here,' he stated.
'For drugs to reach Buenos Aires, they had to travel more than 1,500 kilometers and cross an uncontrolled border.'
