Russia denies bugging Argentina’s presidential palace

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By Leila Miller

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Russia on Tuesday denied suggestions by Argentine officials that it may have been involved in a bugging operation to tarnish President Javier Milei’s government ahead of legislative elections.

An Argentine judge on Monday barred media outlets from publishing audio recordings made inside the Casa Rosada presidential palace, presumably of Karina Milei, the president’s sister and chief of staff.

Argentina’s security ministry has filed a criminal complaint alleging that illegal recordings were made of government officials, including Karina Milei, as part of an operation to taint Milei’s government. It said that the political opposition was involved, but also alluded to Russia’s participation, accusing Russian residents in Argentina of “conducting actions to influence the population for Russia’s geopolitical interests.”

Milei’s spokesperson, in a post on X, also suggested that Russian operatives may have been involved in the recordings and a “wider plot” linked to Milei’s political opposition in a “disinformation campaign to overthrow the government.”  

The Russian embassy denied any involvement and dismissed “public speculation” that its intelligence services had recorded phone conversations in Casa Rosada. 

“No evidence has been provided to support these claims,” the embassy said in a statement Tuesday. 

“The desire to see ‘Russian spies’ around every corner is irrational and destructive.” 

Milei’s government faces allegations of corruption after a separate series of audio recordings were leaked to news outlets in August. In those, the voice of a person purported to be the former head of Argentina’s disability agency described a kickback scheme he said involved Karina Milei.    

A federal judge has opened a criminal investigation into the bribery allegations. 

The scandal has erupted ahead of the key October midterm elections, which are an opportunity for Milei to expand his government from its current minority. The midterms are preceded by local elections in Buenos Aires province on September 7, currently dominated by the Peronist opposition.

(Reporting by Leila Miller; Editing by Cassandra Garrison and Stephen Coates)