Fact Check: ¿Javier Milei y José Luis Espert están implicados en el narcotráfico y el caso de Federico Machado?
What We Know
The claim that Javier Milei and José Luis Espert are implicated in narcotrafficking and the case of Federico Machado arises from recent allegations against Espert related to his association with Machado, who has been arrested and accused of narcotrafficking and money laundering by U.S. authorities (Perfil). Machado was reportedly involved in financing Espert's 2019 presidential campaign, which has led to legal actions against Espert, including accusations of complicity and illicit association (Perfil).
Machado was detained in Neuquén, Argentina, and is wanted by U.S. authorities for allegedly being part of a drug trafficking organization (Perfil). The legal actions against Espert have been characterized by some as politically motivated, with his supporters claiming that the accusations are an attempt to undermine his political career (Perfil).
Javier Milei, who has had a complex relationship with Espert, is mentioned in the context of these allegations, although the specifics of his involvement are less clear. Reports indicate that Milei was once allied with Espert but has distanced himself from these accusations (Perfil).
Analysis
The evidence surrounding the claim is mixed. On one hand, there is a clear connection between José Luis Espert and Federico Machado, as Machado was involved in Espert's campaign and is now facing serious criminal charges. The legal complaints against Espert suggest that he may have had knowledge of Machado's activities, which raises questions about his involvement (Perfil, Perfil).
However, the allegations against Milei are less substantiated. While he is mentioned in the context of Espert's legal troubles, there is no direct evidence linking him to narcotrafficking or to Machado beyond their political association. This lack of direct evidence makes it difficult to assert that Milei is implicated in the same way as Espert.
The sources used in this analysis, particularly the articles from Perfil, are credible as they report on ongoing legal proceedings and provide context regarding the political implications of these allegations. However, they may carry a degree of bias, particularly given the politically charged nature of the accusations against Espert and the broader implications for the libertarian political movement in Argentina.
Conclusion
The claim that Javier Milei and José Luis Espert are implicated in narcotrafficking and the case of Federico Machado is Partially True. While there is substantial evidence linking Espert to Machado and the allegations of narcotrafficking, the connection to Milei is less clear and lacks direct evidence. Thus, while Espert's involvement is credible, Milei's implication remains speculative at this stage.
