Argentinian President Javier Milei is facing serious allegations of unlawful surveillance after a leaked intelligence document revealed that his administration may have authorised espionage operations against political opponents, trade unions, pensioner groups and civil society organisations. The document, obtained by local media and first reported by La Nación, details how Argentina’s controversial intelligence agency, SIDE, has allegedly been monitoring private meetings and political strategy discussions—activities that fall outside the legal boundaries of domestic intelligence operations under Argentinian law. As highlighted by The Times UK, the revelations have triggered widespread outrage across Argentina’s political spectrum and fuelled renewed fears of a return to authoritarian-era tactics.
SIDE, dismantled in 2015 due to its dark legacy of abuses during the country’s military dictatorship, was controversially revived and expanded under Milei last year. Critics argue that its reactivation, under the guise of improving national security, has instead opened the door to unchecked surveillance and political interference. The agency was once central to the violent repression of dissidents during Argentina’s “Dirty War,” and its resurrection has provoked alarm among legal scholars, human rights organisations and opposition lawmakers. Under Milei’s leadership, the agency is said to be modelled after the US National Security Agency, with enhanced surveillance capabilities and a broader scope than in its previous incarnation.
The leaked report lists several prominent political figures allegedly under surveillance, including Máximo Kirchner, the son of former President Cristina Kirchner; Sergio Massa, who ran against Milei in the 2023 presidential election; and Axel Kicillof, the current governor of Buenos Aires. Facundo Manes, an opposition MP also named in the files, has already filed a legal complaint, accusing Milei of “spying on those who think differently.” In a statement on X, Manes condemned the alleged operations as a “shameful” betrayal of democracy and vowed not to be intimidated by the exposure.
The controversy also extends beyond politicians. Surveillance was reportedly carried out on peaceful pensioner protests held weekly outside the National Congress, where elderly citizens have been demanding increases to pension payments amid inflation and austerity cuts. Disability rights organisations were also allegedly monitored, sparking further backlash, especially in light of Milei’s recent vetoes on legislation that would have expanded social protections. On Monday, he rejected a bill passed by Congress that sought to increase pension spending, calling it incompatible with his administration’s mission to curb inflation, which recently dipped to a five-year low.
According to the leaked materials, SIDE agents tracked the locations and attendees of political meetings held in private residences—an activity considered a direct violation of Argentina’s national intelligence law, which forbids the surveillance of individuals based on political, social or union activity. The scandal has raised demands in Congress for the head of SIDE, Sergio Neiffert, to testify before lawmakers. Civil rights groups and opposition parties are pushing for stronger oversight of the agency to prevent further abuse.
The journalist Hugo Alconada Mon, who published the leaked documents, has previously alleged attempts of state-sponsored cyberattacks against him, further adding to the atmosphere of paranoia and repression that some say is growing under Milei’s government. Meanwhile, the administration has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations, leaving many questions unanswered and public concern mounting.
This is not the first controversy to envelop the Milei government. Earlier this year, a federal judge opened an investigation into $LIBRA, a cryptocurrency heavily promoted by the president. The coin briefly surged in value following Milei’s endorsement before crashing, prompting accusations of market manipulation. Blockchain analysis from Chainalysis revealed that around $99 million worth of tokens were withdrawn from $LIBRA’s liquidity pool within hours. Milei denied any wrongdoing, blaming political rivals for attempting to exploit the situation.
Despite these controversies, the president continues to enjoy a measure of support for his austerity-driven “chainsaw” economic reforms, which aim to rein in Argentina’s historically high inflation. But with unemployment on the rise and the peso still under pressure, public patience is wearing thin. The fresh wave of surveillance allegations has only deepened the divisions in Argentinian society, drawing comparisons to the country’s authoritarian past and casting a long shadow over Milei’s reformist image.
