On social media, it has been observed that the government resorts to trolls with the aim of diverting any uncomfortable discussion. When issues of insecurity or poor municipal management are mentioned, these profiles quickly shift the responsibility to the national government. For example, in the case of Hurlingham, the phrase "Milei does not send money to the municipality" is repeated in comments on Facebook and other platforms. In this way, any concrete complaint about local management becomes a debate about national politics, thus avoiding questioning the local.
These tactics aim to shape public opinion and discourage participation from those who might express criticism. The fear of possible reprisals has created a climate of self-censorship where many neighbors prefer to stay silent rather than be labeled as "opposition." In Hurlingham, this strategy has been compared to authoritarian regimes, where only the official discourse seems to have place.
In the specific case of Hurlingham, the digital strategy of La Cámpora has generated concern among residents. Under the management of Damián Selci, tactics have been deployed that include social media trolls and control over WhatsApp groups, used to shape public conversation, silence criticism, and amplify the official propaganda of the municipality.
A clear example of this censorship can be observed in the WhatsApp group "Neighbors of Villa Club," where residents share information about the neighborhood. Although it appears to be an open discussion space, any criticism of local management is censored. Additionally, propaganda content taken from the municipality's official social media is introduced, and those who question these messages are reprimanded on the grounds that "politics cannot be discussed." This rule seems to apply only when the opinions are unfavorable to the mayor's office.
Censorship becomes more evident in cases of reports of insecurity. Those who alert about criminal acts are often silenced or expelled from WhatsApp groups, as these complaints contradict the official narrative of an efficient administration. The trolls not only operate on social media but also handle diverting the debate and defending the official management on various online platforms.
