The Argentine presidency announced Thursday that journalists were allowed to enter the presidential palace again, more than a week after they were prevented from accessing it while the government conducted an investigation into allegations of “illegal spying.”

Published on: 01/05/2026 - 08:42

A source in the Argentine presidency said Thursday that journalists were allowed to enter the presidential palace again, more than a week after they were prevented from accessing it.

This unprecedented measure has prevented about fifty accredited journalists from reaching the presidential palace since last Thursday, sparking anger from journalists’ associations, the opposition, and the Catholic Church.

The presidency justified its decision as a “precautionary measure” after a spying complaint filed by the Presidential Security Service with the aim of “ensuring national security.” The Presidential Security Service investigated two journalists from the Todo Noticias channel on charges of filming in prohibited areas inside the palace without permission.

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A tense relationship with the press

The two journalists say that they obtained permission and that the areas filmed were frequently visited by children during school trips. Financial newspaper Ambito Financiero sought an urgent court ruling to force the government to restore access to the information.

In turn, the Catholic Church expressed its support for the journalists and called for dialogue. Argentine President Javier Mele, a controversial politician and strong ally of US President Donald Trump, has a turbulent relationship with the media, to which he has been directing scathing insults since taking office in December 2023. He repeatedly wrote on his account on the X platform “NOLSALP,” which is the Spanish abbreviation for his slogan, “We don’t hate journalists enough.”

France 24/AFP

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