In Argentina, opposition senators did not obtain enough votes to create an investigative commission on President Javier Milei and his involvement in the failed launch of the cryptocurrency $LIBRA. However, the Senate approved sending a request for reports to the Presidency regarding the case. The proposal for the Chief of Staff Guillermo Francos and the President's sister, Karina Milei, to appear was unsuccessful.
During a session of the full Senate, various proposals from opposition blocs were put to a vote. The session was initially scheduled to discuss the suspension of this year's primary elections, but the scandal caused by the launch of $LIBRA last Friday by Milei captured attention.
Amid the controversy, Senator Sapag expressed: "I am astonished and embarrassed by what has happened. We are globally famous thanks to our president, who scammed 75,000 people." Sapag accused Milei of being involved in the launch of $LIBRA and pointed out reports suggesting possible kickbacks.
Alicia Kirchner, from the Peronist block Unidad Ciudadana, described it as inappropriate for the president to promote the cryptocurrency, impacting Argentina's image in the world. For her part, Senator Silvina García Larraburu denounced a "embezzlement" that, in her opinion, would be paid for by the Argentine people.
According to figures from the consultancy Nansen, 86% of investors who bought $LIBRA suffered losses totaling $251 million, while the rest gained $180 million. Silvia Sapag detailed that the affected parties are distributed across 26 countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Spain, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Russia, Uruguay, the United States, and Venezuela.
The case of the cryptocurrency has generated public outrage and has called into question the management of the Argentine president, creating a tense situation in the Senate and international repercussions.
