Argentina's vice-president says she is "extremely worried" about those who cannot make ends meet

Argentina’s vice-president, Victoria Villarruel, expressed deep concern over the economic hardships faced by Argentines who lack employment or cannot make ends meet. During the opening of Expo Venado 2026, an agricultural fair in Venado Tuerto, Santa Fe province, Villarruel stressed that the political class must prioritize these issues above all else. She emphasized that without work, there is no family, and without production, there is no work, urging the country to harness its potential despite its complexities.

Contrasting with the current government's stance, Villarruel criticized the high rate of credit arrears on individual loans, which reached 17.5% of total lending in June. The president, Javier Milei, and his economy minister, Luis Caputo, viewed this situation as a private matter to be resolved by the market, rather than a priority for the government.

Villarruel also advocated for the removal of export duties, or retenciones, which have been levied on grain and other exports for decades, arguing that farming and industry should operate free from such taxes. She firmly believes that the future of Argentina lies in agriculture and industry.

Villarruel, who was Milei's running mate in the 2023 elections and currently presides over the Senate, has been maintaining a distant relationship with the presidency for months. Her comments come amid calls for her resignation from figures close to Milei. Interestingly, Villarruel was notably absent from the official ceremony marking the anniversary of José de San Martín, a central figure in Argentine history, suggesting her growing estrangement from the current administration.