The Justice rejected the appeal of César Milani, former chief of the Argentine Army, who sought permission to celebrate his 70th birthday in a military quincho. Milani accused the State, the Ministry of Defense, and the Army of political discrimination, claiming that access to the quincho was denied as retaliation for previous criticisms of the Armed Forces.
Chamber II of the Federal Administrative Controversies Court rejected the precautionary measure requested by Milani, which means that the event could no longer take place in military facilities. The former chief of the Army had to settle for celebrating his birthday at "Lo de Lolo," a neighborhood cantina, far from where he originally planned the celebration.
Milani's request was considered abstract, and the first-instance judge found no evidence of arbitrariness in the Army's decision not to allow him access to the quincho. Although Milani appealed, it was already too late for the date of the celebration, and the venue remained closed to him. Legal costs were charged to Milani, making it clear that not all disputes are resolved in favor of the requester.
In summary, Milani will have to look for a more modest place for future celebrations, as neither Justice nor the quincho was on his side this time. This episode highlighted that Milani's celebratory desires clashed with military procedures, ending his birthday in a venue not as lavish as he had planned.
