The Country Faces Economic Crisis... Argentine Politician Takes Luxury Trip with Model

Opposition Party Hit by Political Scandal 3 Weeks Before Election
15 Million Won Yacht Trip for One Night · 27.1 Billion Won Compensation

Just three weeks before the presidential and general elections in Argentina, an unexpected political scandal erupted last weekend, leading to the withdrawal of an opposition candidate.

The trigger was a vacation photo posted on social media (SNS) by Sofia Clerici, a model and lingerie entrepreneur.

Argentine politician Martin Insaurralde (left) and model Sofia Clerici.
[Photo by Online]

Clerici posted a photo last weekend enjoying a vacation on a luxury yacht in Marbella, Spain. She tagged Mart?n Insaurralde, a famous Argentine politician, on a man whose face was not visible behind her.

Insaurralde is the Chief of Staff of Buenos Aires Province and the ruling party's overall election manager for Buenos Aires Province. He is not just a simple political appointee but a well-known figure strategically placed by the ruling Peronist Party, which regards Buenos Aires Province as its stronghold, having served as the mayor of Lomas de Zamora (currently on leave).

As the controversy intensified, he submitted his resignation within a day. The resignation was immediately processed, and local media reported that the ruling party leadership dismissed him ahead of the presidential election.

At the beginning of the incident, Clerici deleted the photo and attacked netizens, saying, "Can't politicians even go on vacation?" However, after Insaurralde was dismissed, she excused herself by saying the luxury yacht belonged to a friend, she traveled alone, and that she purchased all the luxury goods herself.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that Insaurralde had declared only 600,000 pesos (less than 5 million won at the time) in his public official asset report last year, fueling the controversy.

The media also reported rumors that he agreed to pay $20 million (approximately 27.1 billion won) in alimony to his ex-wife, whom he divorced two months ago. Following the yacht trip and the alimony news, suspicions arose that the lifelong politician might have engaged in illicit enrichment.

The opposition party filed a complaint against Insaurralde for suspected illicit enrichment and demanded an investigation.

Agust?n Romo, an opposition candidate for the National Assembly, strongly criticized Insaurralde, saying, "It was only recently announced that the annual inflation rate exceeds 124%, 40% of the population is in poverty, and 70% of children in Buenos Aires Province live in poverty. Yet he gives $20 million to his ex-wife, travels in Europe with a model on a luxury yacht, gifts expensive handbags and watches, and drinks high-end champagne. It's disgusting."