The departure of Mariano Cúneo Libarona of the Ministry of Justice of the Nation consolidated itself as one of the most talked about topics in recent days in the corridors of Casa Rosada, generating an authentic “dance of names” about who could replace him when he finally leaves office, presumably from March 2026. The criminal lawyer and teacher—who assumed the judicial portfolio on December 10, 2023 by decision of the president Javier Milei— had generated debates and tensions since the beginning of his administration due to alleged changes in criminal policies and due to his confrontational style with different sectors of the judicial and human rights system.
The recent history of his time in the cabinet also includes rumors that began at the end of 2025when the minister himself announced that he was considering leaving after the approval of the new juvenile criminal regime, which reduces the age of punishment to 14 years, although he later remained in office at the express request of Milei and his sister. Karina Milei. In this context, since last October there has been talk of a resignation after the elections, even after he himself indicated that he felt that his cycle was completed and that he wanted to “recover with his affections”, without specifying a date.
Among the possible names to take his place, the one that sounds the loudest in recent hours is that of the Buenos Aires senator Guillermo Montenegroa leader with a long history in Argentine politics and justice, who already has experience as a federal judge and as Minister of Justice and Security of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires during the administration of Mauricio Macri. Born in Mar del Plata, He came to the national scene due to his connection with the PRO and later due to his approach to Freedom Advances. He was mayor of the General Pueyrredón Party and in December 2025 he assumed provincial legislation for the fifth section.
Montenegro is characterized by a tough profile on security and justice issues, and for having been the protagonist of debates on security policies during its time in Buenos Aires management. His name gains strength in the Casa Rosada due to his political relationship with the strong men of the Government and because several media outlets report that he has already held meetings with actors in the Milei structure to explore his eventual landing in the ministry.
Another name that appears as possible successor It’s the prosecutor’s Diego Lucianiknown mainly for his role in high-profile judicial cases, including the process that ended with the conviction of former president Cristina Kirchner in the case Roads. His figure, historically linked to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, has been mentioned in journalistic rumors as an option to continue an agenda of judicial toughness and greater prominence of the Executive Branch in key decisions. The nomination of a high-profile prosecutor like Luciani would be a sign of a decidedly judicialized orientation of the portfolio.
Luciani trained as a federal prosecutor and gained national notoriety for his investigative work in cases of political corruption, which has earned him both support among sectors that demand justice and criticism from those who question his procedural style. The possibility of transferring him to the Ministry of Justice would imply a strong signal of continuity in the relations between the Executive Branch and the areas of criminal prosecution, although some official sectors have indicated that it could be “strange” for him to accept that position since it would remove him from complex cases for the current context.
Also on the same list of names is Sandra Arroyo Salgadofederal judge with experience in criminal courts in San Isidro, who enjoys a good relationship with certain judicial sectors and has participated in official events at Casa Rosada. His inclusion on the payroll also generates speculation about possible other destinations in the higher judiciary, such as a future nomination to the Supreme Court or to the Attorney General’s Office, beyond the Justice portfolio.
Finally, another possible candidate circulating in the media is Santiago Videlaa criminal lawyer with ties to academia and presence in technical debates on procedural reform and criminal policy. Videla built his profile in private professional practice and in university teaching, where he has specialized in economic criminal law and complex litigation. In recent years he participated in legal forums where he defended the need to modernize the adversarial system and streamline criminal processes, an agenda that is in tune with several axes promoted by the current national administration.
His name began to be mentioned as an eventual successor to Mariano Cúneo Libarona based on its technical proximity to teams working on judicial reform and its less confrontational profile, which could serve to decompress tensions between the Executive and sectors of the Judiciary. Unlike other candidates with strong media exposure or party history, Videla is seen as a more technical than political cadre. In January 2025, he took over as Attorney General of the Nation’s Treasury, replacing Rodolfo Barra. In this balance between technical profile, low level of wear and affinity with the Government’s criminal line lies, according to the analysts consulted, the reason why his name was added to the list of possible replacements in the Justice portfolio.
Meanwhile, in the immediate future, attention is focused on when he will formalize his departure. Mariano Cúneo Libaronahow the transition of his area will be resolved and what political message the eventual new head of the Ministry of Justice will send, at a time when that ministry is key to the implementation of the government’s judicial and criminal agenda.
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