Tensions between Argentine President Javier Milei and Spanish political consultant Antoni Gutiérrez-Rubí have escalated into a full-blown political controversy, as Argentina’s National Directorate of Migration has moved to revoke the strategist’s residency status and ordered him to leave the country within 15 days.
The expulsion order follows months of hostility from the Milei administration toward Gutiérrez-Rubí, who had previously been publicly insulted by the president via social media. On Friday, the government officially declared his presence in Argentina “irregular,” cancelling his temporary residency and warning that he will be forcibly deported if he does not comply with the 15-day deadline.
Gutiérrez-Rubí, a veteran consultant with decades of experience in political communications across Latin America and Europe, plans to challenge the decision. In a written statement, he confirmed that he would appeal the expulsion, calling it arbitrary and without merit. His legal team is preparing to present the appeal as early as Monday.
According to government sources, the action stems from alleged irregularities in the documentation Gutiérrez-Rubí used to enter the country. His representatives firmly deny these accusations, describing them as politically motivated and unsubstantiated.
With more than 60 political campaigns in 11 countries under his belt, Gutiérrez-Rubí is a well-known figure in political consultancy circles. In Argentina, his ties run deep. He previously advised former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner during her return to political prominence and most recently collaborated on Sergio Massa’s 2023 presidential campaign, which ended in defeat to Milei.
The consultant also heads the Diploma in Political Communication and Electoral Campaigns at Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero (UNTREF), further cementing his long-standing academic and professional presence in the country.
Political analysts and members of the opposition have raised alarms about the implications of the government’s decision. Officials from the PRO party, traditionally aligned with conservative factions, expressed concern over the move. “We don’t yet understand the full basis for this decision, but it evokes the authoritarian tactics we once saw under Kirchnerism,” said a party spokesperson, adding that Gutiérrez-Rubí, as a Spanish national, “has every right to defend himself and will appeal through the appropriate legal channels.”
The political fallout comes after Milei publicly accused Gutiérrez-Rubí of orchestrating a smear campaign during the 2023 elections. In a January post on social media, Milei shared a photo of the strategist, calling him “human garbage” and blaming him for leading what he described as “the most vicious political attack in Argentine history.”
That post was widely amplified by pro-government accounts online, fueling criticism from civil society and media freedom advocates who see the government’s rhetoric and recent actions as part of a broader pattern of intimidation against critics.
The move to expel Gutiérrez-Rubí is being viewed by many as a new, more aggressive step by Milei’s administration in silencing opposition voices, raising fresh concerns about democratic norms and the rule of law in Argentina.
While Gutiérrez-Rubí prepares his legal challenge, the case is likely to draw international attention, not only for its political implications but also for the message it sends about dissent in Milei’s Argentina.
