By Eliana Raszewski
BUENOS AIRES, April 23 (Reuters) – The government of Argentina’s President Javier Milei blocked the entry of accredited journalists to government house Casa Rosada on Thursday, citing an incident of “illegal espionage.”
The move was announced by government spokesman Javier Lanari on X, who said that fingerprint access for journalists was removed as a “preventative measure” after a military complaint.
“The sole purpose is to ensure national security,” Lanari said.
On Wednesday, Milei posted a photo of two journalists from local television network TN calling them “DISGUSTING TRASH.”
“I would love to see those filthy scum who carry journalist credentials, (95%) come out to defend what these two criminals did,” Milei said, appearing to reference a recording the network aired showing Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni walking through the halls of Casa Rosada.
Meanwhile, a journalist who works for Reuters regularly from Casa Rosada reported being unable to enter on Thursday morning.
Milei has repeatedly clashed with journalists, publicly sparring with reporters on social media and in interviews, prompting press‑freedom groups to warn of a sharp deterioration in relations between his government and the media since he took office in December 2023.
(Reporting by Marta Lopez and Eliana Raszewski in Buenos Aires, editing by Cassandra Garrison)
