30/06/2026 03:34 - Politica
Argentina's Minister of Justice, Juan Bautista Mahiques, has submitted a new list of judicial appointments to the Senate Agreement Commission, a move that could have direct consequences on several high-profile cases currently making headlines in the country.
Among the nominees stands out Juan Tomás Rodríguez Ponte, who will be considered this Tuesday for the position of federal judge in the Criminal and Correctional Court N° 2 of Lomas de Zamora, a key judicial district in the southern suburbs of Buenos Aires Province.
For our international readers: Lomas de Zamora is one of Argentina's most important judicial districts, handling many federal cases involving public officials and organized crime. Federal judges in Argentina have broad powers over cases involving corruption, drug trafficking, and crimes involving government officials.
Rodríguez Ponte has served as the historical secretary (chief of staff) to Ariel Lijo, one of Argentina's most influential federal judges. His nomination appears to be part of a broader negotiation between Mahiques and Lijo, both of whom recently traveled to Paris for the GAFI (Financial Action Task Force) meeting.
The court in question is currently being temporarily overseen ("subrogated") by Judge Luis Armella, who is handling the case against Martín Insaurralde—the former Buenos Aires Province Cabinet Chief—and Jésica Cirio, a well-known Argentine model and television personality.
On Monday, Judge Luis Armella ruled that both Insaurralde and Cirio are prohibited from leaving Argentina, but he rejected the detention request filed by Federal Prosecutor Sergio Mola.
The magistrate considered the prosecution's request as "disproportionate," a term that carries significant weight in Argentine legal proceedings.
The case has captured public attention due to Insaurralde's prominence in Argentine politics and his past role as a key figure in Buenos Aires Province governance.
According to reports from La Política Online, the progress of this case was connected to the government's strategy to manage the political fallout from the resignation of Manuel Adorni on June 27, 2026.
Sources indicate that Rodríguez Ponte's appointment serves as a bargaining chip between Mahiques and Lijo, showcasing the complex interplay between Argentina's executive branch and its judiciary.
The Executive Branch has submitted multiple messages requesting Senate approval for judicial positions across various provinces:
| Message N° | Position | Province / Location |
|---|---|---|
| 136/26 | Associate Judges, Federal Appeals Chamber | Córdoba |
| 146/26 | Chamber Judge, Federal Oral Tribunal | Tucumán (Pablo Roberto Toledo) |
| 147/26 | Chamber Judge, Federal Oral Tribunal | Posadas, Misiones (Ruth María Ponce de León) |
| 148/26 | Federal Prosecutor, Fiscal Unit | Corrientes (Juan Marcelo Burella Acevedo) |
| 149/26 | Vocal, Federal Appeals Chamber | Resistencia, Chaco (María Virginia Ise) |
| 150/26 | Chamber Judge, Federal Oral Tribunal | Tucumán (Ángel Roger Luna Roldán) |
Additionally, the request includes the appointment of Hugo Daniel Froy for the Decentralized Fiscal Office in Paso de los Libres, Corrientes Province.
For our international readers:
June 30, 2026
Senate hearing scheduled for Rodríguez Ponte's nomination
This report is based on an article from La Política Online, published on June 29, 2026.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
