Karina Milei He moved his chips again in silence, securing his own place in one of the most sensitive organizations in the institutional system. With your consent, Monica Almada was appointed by the next eight years in the General Examination of the Nation (AGN)the main external control body of the state, responsible for overseeing the leadership of this government and those who follow it.
The appointment came during the last session of the Chamber of Deputies, which lasted until dawn and culminated in a coordinated vote between La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and Kirchnerism. In this agreement, the ruling party managed to include its own part in the AGN, a strategic area that must review processes of high political sensitivity, from purchases and contracting to complex audits of the use of public funds.
Almada began his career in Buenos Aires radicalism. She served as Minister of Education during the administration of Fernando de la Rua as head of the city government and in 1998 she became director of Banco Ciudad. Her time with the company ended abruptly in 2002 after she was involved in a controversial episode over the end of convertibility.
Three days before the introduction of the bank “Corralito”, in December 2001, Almada prematurely withdrew a fixed deposit of 314,600 pesos/dollar that he had deposited with the Banco Ciudad. The operation, carried out outside banking hours and under exceptional conditions, raised suspicions of insider information since the measure was ordered by the then Minister of Economy. Sunday Cavallowith whom Almada maintained – and maintains – a personal relationship.
According to the chronicles of the time, the then president of Banco Ciudad, Roberto Felettidemanded his resignation on the grounds that the money “was not available” and that the withdrawal occurred on the last day of normal operation of the financial system. Almada later returned the funds, arguing that he had terminated the stipulated term early to complete a real estate transaction that he ultimately failed to complete. She then said she was “deeply ashamed” for what happened. The incident led to him leaving the bank at the request of the then head of government. Anibal Ibarra.
After this scandal, Almada remained out of the public spotlight for years. She acted as an advisor in the Chamber of Deputies affiliated with Pro and already during the presidency of Mauricio Macri, returned to public service as director and then vice president Insurance Nation. During this time he also consolidated political and personal relationships: he is a couple Enrique “Quique” PinedoBrother of former senator and deputy Federico Pinedoa relationship that supported her politically during her low-profile years.
His landing in LLA went hand in hand with Cavallo knowing how to build a fluid bond with him Javier Milei until he questioned the government’s exchange rate policy and was publicly disqualified by the president as one of the “Econochantas.” Nevertheless, Almada managed to regroup. “She became friends with Karina’s entourage”they explain in libertarian ranks.
He arrived Ministry of Economic Affairs and for a few months, in 2024, was in charge of the Strategic Articulation Unit of Economic and Productive Areas under the leadership of Luis Caputo. From then on, according to those who spent his time in the production secretariat, he presented himself as the right-hand man of Juan Pazoat the time area secretary and until a few days ago head of the ARCA debt collection agency.
In this short time his style left its mark. The nickname circulated among workers in the area “Heartless Monica”a pun on his last name, which – it is said – alluded to a harsh and distant approach to the staff. “He didn’t say good morning or see you later.”describe those who knew her at the time. However, his passage was brief and his farewell was never explicitly mentioned.
Nevertheless, his profile aligned with libertarian logic and his proximity to the hard core of power earned him the trust of Karina Milei and, when he was able to rebuild this medium, also of Eduardo “Lule” Menemone of the most influential men in the office of Secretary General of the Presidency.
Now Almada will take a seat on the AGN, the body responsible for overseeing the legality, management and use of public resources by the national administration. Among other issues of high political sensitivity, he must intervene in audits of purchases, contracts and key processes, such as the shipment of 37 tons of gold from the central bank to London, which took place just over a year ago and for which there are no details.
Her appointment is part of a broader strategy by the president’s sister to gain positions in control and judicial organizations, areas where the ruling party still has its own consolidated structure.
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