Brigadier General Daniel Eduardo Varela resigned as a member of the Círculo Militar, a historic institution that brings together active and retired officers of the Argentine Armed Forces. He disagreed with the recent decision to accept Roberto Fiochi as an adherent member. Fiochi is the former president of the Institute of Social Work for the Armed Forces and Security (IOSFA).
The resignation was communicated through a formal letter in which Varela, member number 17639/0 of the entity, explained that Fiochi's acceptance led him to a 'deep reflection' on the institution's direction and on the criteria that should guide the decisions of an organization that has historically been a space for representation and community for the military.
In his letter, the retired general stated that the Círculo Militar cannot be understood merely as a social organization, but as an institution whose identity is tied to the preservation of values, principles, and conduct that have distinguished its members for decades. He noted that the decision to accept Fiochi created a conflict with these principles.
Varela recalled that during Fiochi's tenure at the helm of IOSFA, situations arose that directly affected numerous members of the social security organization, including military personnel and their families. The former military commander emphasized that his position is based on firsthand experience from that period, as he was a member of the IOSFA board of directors while Fiochi was president of the organization.
'Having been a member of the IOSFA board during that time, I know firsthand the circumstances experienced and their consequences,' he wrote. 'In this context, I understand that my remaining as a member would be inconsistent with my personal convictions and the respect I believe is due to my comrades.'
For this reason, he decided to step away from the institution. In his farewell message, the retired general thanked the years shared within the Círculo Militar and expressed his wish for the entity to continue honoring the values that gave rise to it, historically linked to the professional tradition and the spirit of camaraderie of the Argentine Armed Forces.
