13/07/2026 18:26 - Judiciales
According to judicial sources reported by Infobae, the former president of ARSAT (Empresa Argentina de Soluciones Satelitales S.A., the state-owned satellite and telecommunications company), Facundo Leal, was questioned on July 13, 2026, at the federal courts in San Isidro (a judicial district in the northern Greater Buenos Aires area). The former official, who presided over the company during the administrations of Alberto Fernández and Javier Milei until 2025, chose not to answer questions and submitted a written statement presenting his position.
The proceedings, ordered by Federal Judge Lino Mirabelli at the request of Prosecutor Fernando Domínguez, began shortly after 10:30 AM. Leal, who is a permanent employee of the company, emphasized in his defense that he did not participate in the bidding process under investigation because he did not hold an executive position at that time. Currently, he is detained in a parallel case for drug possession with intent to sell, following a raid on his apartment in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
The case began after a theft detected on January 4, 2024, at a facility in San Fernando, where ARSAT's technological materials were stored. This uncovered irregularities in contracts with the private company Argentina Logistic Services (ALS).
The prosecutor's office found that the agreements were approved without the intervention of ARSAT's Board of Directors and without technical reports. Furthermore, the contracted firm lacked minimum security measures, which facilitated the theft and damage of equipment valued at 151,000 USD. For these highly questionable services, 14 purchase orders were issued, exceeding 1.9 million USD and 40 million Argentine pesos (ARS).
Along with Leal, Gerardo Boschin was also questioned. Boschin is the former purchasing sub-manager of ARSAT and former president of Trenes Argentinos Operaciones (the state-owned railway operator), who also refused to testify. During this week, the Judiciary is expected to summon other former members of the leadership: Pablo Gastón Pagani, Juan Navarro, and Juan Álvarez.
Judge Mirabelli issued precautionary measures for all those involved, including a ban on leaving the country, a preventive embargo on assets, and the lifting of banking, fiscal, and stock secrecy to reconstruct the financial trail. Everything points to a transparent process seeking to clarify the facts.
| Item | Quantity / Detail |
|---|---|
| Dollars in Palermo (Buenos Aires) | USD 650,000 |
| Dollars in Mendoza (Western Argentina) | USD 1,700,000 |
| Total cash | USD 2,400,000 |
| Drugs | Ketamine, cocaine, and MDMA |
| Espionage devices | 19 (microphones in glasses and pens) |
The Judiciary seeks to determine if the money comes from receiving bribes, while an expert report concluded that the espionage equipment was not used for illegal activities.
The progress of this case demonstrates the judicial system's commitment to investigating potential acts of corruption and ensuring transparency in state-owned companies. With clear measures and detailed monitoring of evidence, we are moving towards a future where public resources will be increasingly protected.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
