Javier Miley beheaded the intelligence services leadership at midnight on Wednesday. By decree, the Argentine president ordered the dismissal of Sergio Neverte and the appointment of Cristian Oguadra in his place. The head of the State Intelligence Secretariat refused to resign and tried to avoid a decision made weeks ago by the man who appointed him to his position, powerful presidential advisor Santiago Caputo. Nevert’s closeness to the president’s sister, Karina Miley, did not bring him political survival either, but rather ended up burying him. He left office days after the executive expanded SIDE’s budget by decree by about $18 million, amid accusations of irregular use of funds and spying on opposition politicians and union leaders.
Nevert continued to direct the intelligence services thanks to his relationship with Caputo. With no previous experience in public administration, he took office in July 2024, when Miley decided to disband the Federal Intelligence Agency (AFI) – created in 2015, at the end of the Cristina Fernández administration – and reinstate the pre-existing SIDE.
The Center for Legal and Social Studies (CELS) indicted Niefert in June for illegal spying on opposition political leaders, unions and even groups of pensioners demanding increased pensions. Two months later, the newspaper Nation It revealed the existence of a National Intelligence Plan (PIN) that opened the door to spying on journalists, politicians, economists and other “actors” that eroded public confidence or perception at the expense of Casa Rosada’s interests. In addition, the Argentine spy chief was also questioned by former liberal actress Lourdes Arrieta regarding the alleged illegal use of funds.
Neveret’s decline has accelerated in recent weeks. According to Argentine media reports, he got into an angry fight at his home with SIDE’s managing agent, José Lago Rodríguez, on 7 November. Lago Rodriguez showed up there to ask for his resignation and ended up being fired amid shouting and insults.
Lago Rodriguez is under investigation for using public funds to travel first class to Azerbaijan to attend a Formula One race. The same accusation was directed against Alejandro Colombo, the head of the Argentine intelligence service, who accompanied him.
Battle of the Iron Triangle.
According to the official statement issued by the government, SIDE will now begin a new phase aimed at “deepening the technical and operational modernization of the organization, strengthening monitoring and strategic planning mechanisms, and moving towards an agile, integrated and modern intelligence model.” The main goal is “to provide Argentina with an intelligence service that meets contemporary challenges.”
But Neifert’s departure was interpreted as a new chapter in the internal conflict of what is known as the “iron triangle” consisting of Karina Miley and Santiago Caputo alongside the Argentine president.
Christian Oguadra, an accountant by profession, was in charge of the Internal Affairs Department until his promotion. He is a semi-known man in politics like his predecessor, but he enjoys the confidence of the presidential advisor, which Neifert lost.