Human Capital Minister Sandra Pettovello Sacks Chief-of-Staff Following Loan Scandal

Minister Sandra Pettovello ousts Leandro Massaccesi after a leaked list of state bank loans to officials sparked a political crisis for the Milei government.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 7:50 AM EDT

Source: Buenos Aires Times

The Leaked Banco Nación Loan List

The political crisis erupted when a comprehensive list of Banco Nación loan recipients began appearing on social media and news outlets. The document identified several officials across various ministries, the National Congress, and the Central Bank who had secured large-scale financing. Massaccesi’s name was prominently featured for a mortgage loan totaling approximately 420 million pesos. The scale of this financial package, combined with his high-ranking position, immediately drew fire from political opponents and the public alike, who questioned the optics of such perks during a period of intense economic belt-tightening.

A Violation of the Austerity Protocol

According to government sources, Pettovello demanded Massaccesi’s irrevocable resignation not because of legal irregularities, but due to a fundamental breach of the ministry's "low-profile" and "austerity" protocols. The Milei administration has consistently messaged that the ruling class must share the economic burden placed on the general population. The revelation that a top aide secured a massive state loan after entering public office was viewed as politically untenable by Pettovello, who is one of President Milei’s most trusted and high-profile cabinet members.

Strategic Context of the Human Capital Ministry

The Human Capital Ministry serves as a central pillar of the current government, consolidating the formerly separate portfolios of social welfare, labor, and education. Because this ministry manages the nation's social safety net and deals directly with vulnerable populations, it is held to a higher standard of perceived integrity regarding public funds. The removal of Massaccesi is seen as a pre-emptive strike to prevent the "loan scandal" from undermining the ministry's credibility as it implements far-reaching and often controversial economic reforms.