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Argentine Senator Seeks Leave After Detainment in Paraguay
Argentine Senator Edgardo Cuider, currently under house arrest in Paraguay, has formally requested leave from the Senate after being detained last week for allegedly attempting to bring $200,000 into the country undeclared. Cuider’s request, delivered to Vice President and Senate President Victoria Villaruel, is now under review. The House of Lords will make the final decision, with a section of the opposition already calling for his deportation.
Customs Bust and Subsequent Allegations
Cuider, 52, and his secretary, 34-year-old Iara Magdalena Guinsel Costa, were stopped at customs in Paraguay’s east side last Wednesday while attempting to cross the Friendship Bridge, which links Brazil and Paraguay. Following an inspection, authorities discovered a total of US$211,102, 640,000 Guarani (approximately US$80), and 3.9 million Argentine pesos (approximately US$3,850) concealed on their persons. Both men were charged with attempted smuggling, a crime carrying penalties ranging from a fine to five years in prison. The Paraguayan judicial system is separately investigating them for potential money laundering-related crimes.
Political Fallout and Calls for Expulsion
Cuider, elected as a senator for Argentina’s Entre Ríos province in 2019 by the Peronist Todos Front, has since distanced himself from the political group. Earlier this year, he made headlines by voting in favor of a package of crucial economic reforms championed by President Milley. These reforms are seen as a cornerstone of Milley’s government plans.
Following his arrest, Cuider vehemently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the money seized belonged to his secretary and wasn’t his. He claims to have accompanied Costa on a business trip for a company in an unnamed neighboring country.
Cuider’s arrest has sparked a political firestorm. Former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, a vocal critic of Milley and his government, publicly alleged a link between the senator’s vote for the economic reforms and the cash discovered at the border. She unequivocally stated:
“This is how laws that harm the interests of the majority and the country get votes; or the absence leads to the inability to repeal the Necessary and Emergency Decree that plunges millions of Argentines into poverty, or the Minister of Economy to once again plunge the country into debt.”
The Kirchnerist bloc in the Senate has formally requested a vote on Cuider’s expulsion on grounds of “moral incompetence,” using the opportunity to further their agenda. To succeed, they need a two-thirds majority.
The Fight for a Senate Seat
For Cuider, securing a leave of absence, even if approved, could benefit him by delaying any potential impeachment until the Senate reconvenes. If the Senate approves his leave request, which could last up to six months with extension possibilities, his seat will remain vacant during that duration. This timing plays into the hands of Peronism, who hope to replace Cuider with a politician who aligns more closely with the views of the former Peronist president.
Adding fuel to the fire, President Milley has taken to social media, posting images of lions (an animal he often identifies with) spraying rats within a legislative chamber. He captioned the post with a symbolically bold “Kill the rats,” and the message “Fumigating Congress,” which has reached nearly 10 million of his followers online. This fiery digital rhetoric further underscores the current state of intense political maneuvering in Argentina.
What impact could Senator Cuider’s arrest have on President Milei’s government in Argentina?
## Interview: Argentine Senator’s Detainment in Paraguay
**Host:** Welcome back. Joining us tonight is Dr. Sophia Sanchez, a political analyst specializing in Argentinian politics. Dr. Sanchez, thanks for being here.
**Dr. Sanchez:** My pleasure.
**Host:** Dr. Sanchez, as you know, headlines have been dominated this week by the arrest of Argentine Senator Edgardo Cuider in Paraguay. He’s currently under house arrest there after being caught attempting to cross the border with a large sum of undeclared cash. What are your initial thoughts on this situation?
**Dr. Sanchez:** It’s certainly a shocking incident with potentially far-reaching consequences. Senator Cuider’s arrest throws light on issues of transparency and accountability in Argentinian politics, and the repercussions of his actions, both legal and political, will be significant.
**Host:** He vehemently denies any wrongdoing, claiming the money belonged to his secretary and that he was simply accompanying him on a business trip. Do you think his explanation is credible?
**Dr. Sanchez:** His explanation seems somewhat weak, behaving suspiciously given the significant amount of money involved and the fact that he initially failed to declare it. Of course, the Paraguayan judiciary will have to investigate the matter thoroughly before reaching any conclusions on his guilt or innocence.
**Host:** Beyond the legal implications, what could this mean for his political career?
**Dr. Sanchez:** This incident has already dealt a serious blow to his political standing. He’s already distanced himself from his Peronist party, and calls for his expulsion from the Senate are mounting.
It’s unclear if his career can recover from this, even if he is ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing. The damage to his reputation is already done.
**Host:** Do you think this incident could spill over and affect President Milley’s government, given Cuider’s previous support for his economic reforms?
**Dr. Sanchez:** It’s possible. Cuider’s arrest already fuels existing criticisms of corruption and lack of transparency within the government, even though he was not actively involved in制定 Milley’s policies.
**Host:** Dr. Sanchez, thank you for sharing your insights. This story obviously has a long way to go before it plays out. We’ll be sure to continue following developments.
**Dr. Sanchez:** My pleasure.
