30/06/2026 15:11 - Politica
Diego Santilli assumes office this Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 5:30 PM as Argentina's new Chief of Cabinet of Ministers in a ceremony at the Salón Blanco (White Hall) of the Casa Rosada—the presidential palace in Buenos Aires. The event, led by President Javier Milei, will be attended by 14 governors, a clear signal of institutional and political support for the new Cabinet Chief.
The appointment comes just over seven months after Santilli took office as Minister of Interior, representing a turning point in the La Libertad Avanza administration following the departure of Manuel Adorni, who resigned on June 27, 2026 amid a scandal involving a staggering 775% increase in his personal wealth.
For our international readers: The Chief of Cabinet of Ministers (Jefe de Gabinete) is Argentina's equivalent to a Prime Minister or White House Chief of Staff. This official coordinates all government ministries, manages the administration's relationship with Congress, and acts as the President's right hand in implementing policy decisions.
The attendance of provincial leaders reinforces the political legitimacy of the new Cabinet Chief and anticipates a period of greater coordination between the national government and Argentina's 23 provinces:
| Governor | Province |
|---|---|
| Raúl Jalil | Catamarca |
| Leandro Zdero | Chaco |
| Juan Pablo Valdez | Corrientes |
| Carlos Sadir | Jujuy |
| Alfredo Cornejo | Mendoza |
| Rolo Figueroa | Neuquén |
| Alberto Weretilneck | Río Negro |
| Marcelo Orrego | San Juan |
| Claudio Vidal | Santa Cruz |
| Osvaldo Jaldo | Tucumán |
| Rogelio Frigerio | Entre Ríos |
| Gustavo Sáenz | Salta |
| Jorge Macri | Buenos Aires City |
| Martín Llaryora | Córdoba |
Diego Santilli, 59, has built strong ties with Javier Milei and especially with Karina Milei—the President's sister and key advisor—who promoted him for strategic positions within the administration. He served as Deputy Chief of Government of Buenos Aires City (2015-2021) and as Minister of Interior since November 2025. In October 2025, he obtained 41.5% of the votes in Buenos Aires Province—Argentina's most populous electoral district.
The structure accompanying Santilli includes two vice-chiefs: Ignacio Devitt as Executive Vice-Chief (Secretary of Strategic Affairs) and Gustavo Coria as Vice-Chief of Interior. This organization recreates the format implemented during Guillermo Francos' management and was defined in a meeting the Monday before the swearing-in.
Santilli was immediately considered to replace Manuel Adorni following his resignation. Adorni is currently under judicial investigation for an alleged unjustified wealth increase from $20 million pesos to $944 million pesos (approximately from $20,000 USD to nearly $1 million USD at official rates), in addition to holding USD 500,000 in undeclared cryptocurrencies and paying USD 245,000 under the table for renovations at the Indio Cuá country club, according to contractor Matías Tabar's testimony.
Santilli's appointment was finalized during a meeting at the Quinta de Olivos—the official presidential residence. The presence of fourteen governors and the explicit backing from Karina Milei signal a new phase where the Cabinet Chief will play a more prominent role in negotiating with Congress and the provinces.
The Chief of Cabinet position, historically oriented toward administrative tasks, may see its profile transformed under Santilli's leadership, potentially becoming a key political operator for national governance and provincial coordination. For investors and observers following Argentina, this appointment signals Milei's effort to build broader political coalitions after governing without legislative majority.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
