In the early hours, Victoria Villarruel, in the company of Milei, paid a surprise visit to Corrientes, meeting with the governor
Vice President Victoria Villarruel's Visit to Corrientes: A Historical and Political Journey
On August 2, 2025, Vice President Victoria Villarruel paid a visit to Corrientes province in Argentina, marking a significant moment in the province's history. The occasion was the formal reception of the remains of Sergeant Juan Bautista Cabral, a local hero from Saladas who had fallen in the Battle of San Lorenzo 212 years ago.
The day's agenda was packed with events, including the arrival of the remains, their transfer to the Historical Museum, and an official act in Plaza Cabral with a civic-military parade. The tour included notable landmarks such as the Merced Church, 25 de Mayo square, the coastal promenade, and a refurbished place overlooking the Paraná River. This refurbished place will soon become a multifunctional, historical, educational, and commercial pole.
Politically, the event occurred amidst Villarruel's internal conflict with President Javier Milei, who has publicly referred to her as a "traitor." The transfer of Cabral’s remains was nearly suspended due to political tensions, with some suggesting that authorities initially sought to avoid giving Villarruel prominent institutional visibility amid her dispute with Milei.
However, Governor Gustavo Valdés welcomed Villarruel warmly at the Government House. After a private chat and a photo session, he guided her on a tour of the city. They exchanged gifts and conversed for an hour, indicating a cooperative relationship or at least a political alignment in this context, despite broader national political controversies surrounding Villarruel.
Some interpret the governor's reception of Villarruel as a strategic move, as Corrientes is in the middle of an electoral campaign. The event offers political capital to Valdés through proselytist exposure. Yet, Governor Valdés has remained cautious about expressing his opinion on the invitation he received from his fellow governors of "El Grito Federal."
In summary, Villarruel’s trip to Corrientes and the transfer of Sergeant Cabral’s remains served a dual purpose: honoring a historic local figure with symbolic significance to the province and advancing political interests amid an electoral period. Governor Valdés supported or utilized Villarruel's presence for political visibility despite potential tensions generated by her conflict with Milei.
[1] Source 1 [2] Source 2
- Despite the ongoing political rift between Victoria Villarruel and President Javier Milei, the visit to Corrientes allowed Villarruel to advance her political interests amidst an electoral period. Sources: 1, 2
- The transfer of Sergeant Juan Bautista Cabral's remains and Vice President Victoria Villarruel's visit to Corrientes were not merely historical events but also served as a political opportunity, offering Governor Gustavo Valdés potential political capital. Source: 2
