The Argentine government is currently facing controversy over alleged fraud in the purchase and distribution of food to popular restaurants, as well as the role of NGOs in this process. The Ministry of Human Capital recently announced that it will appeal a court order to distribute 5,000 tons of food that the government admitted to keeping in warehouses, citing ongoing audits and the discovery that half of the intended restaurants are non-existent.
The department, led by Sandra Pettovello, plans to challenge the request of federal judge Sebastián Casanello to create a distribution plan for the food stored in two warehouses that were utilized by organizations linked to ghost restaurants. The food, acquired during the previous government, is currently under audit and has varying expiration dates. The Ministry of Human Capital stated that the food will not be handed over to non-existent restaurants controlled by extortion organizations.
The Milei government has raised concerns over irregularities in the actions of NGOs serving as intermediaries and managing funds intended for social plans for the disadvantaged. The government claims that nearly 50% of the restaurants that were supposed to receive the food do not actually exist, according to audits. Additionally, Eduardo Belliboni, a leader of one social organization, has been summoned for allegedly mismanaging funds received from the State, along with 22 other individuals from different entities, for extortion and threats to beneficiaries of social plans.
Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich publicly expressed support for the government’s actions against those exploiting vulnerable individuals, highlighting the need for accountability in these matters. The situation surrounding the food distribution scandal in Argentina continues to unfold, revealing deeper issues in the government and NGO relationship.
