The Mahiques clan, originally from Mercedes (province of Buenos Aires), represents one of the most influential families in the Argentine Judiciary, with a career marked by key positions in federal courts, prosecutors’ offices and political roles. Originally from an area with a strong judicial tradition, they have accumulated power in sensitive cases, links with Macrismo and, more recently, connections with the government of Javier Milei. The surname generates controversy due to accusations of concentration of power, lawfare and extrajudicial ties, such as with the AFA.
Carlos Alberto “Coco” Mahiquesthe 74-year-old patriarch, is a vocal judge of the Federal Chamber of Criminal Cassation (Chamber III), the highest criminal court before the Supreme Court. With more than 50 years in the criminal jurisdiction, he came to Cassation in 2017 by transfer during the government of Mauricio Macri (without full competition), after being a judge in the Buenos Aires Cassation and Buenos Aires Minister of Justice with María Eugenia Vidal (2015-2016). He has intervened in high-impact rulings, such as the classification of the attack on the AMIA as a crime against humanity or confirmations of convictions for crimes against humanity at the ESMA. Recently, President Milei promoted its renewal for five more years upon turning 75 in November (requires exceptional senatorial agreement). He has been the center of controversy for alleged celebrations in villas linked to the AFA (such as Pablo Toviggino’s) and he renounced subrogation in sensitive rooms to avoid conflicts.
His children complete the family picture in the judicial and political sphere. Juan Bautista Mahiquesthe eldest, a lawyer graduated from the UBA, was undersecretary of Relations with the Judiciary during the Macri administration (under Germán Garavano), representative of the Executive in the Council of the Judiciary and, since 2019, attorney general of the City of Buenos Aires (appointed by Horacio Rodríguez Larreta). He presided over the International Association of Prosecutors and had roles in the sphere of football, as vice-rector of the AFA University. Accused by Cristina Kirchner of pressuring judges in cases against her, today he is the new Minister of Justice of the Nation after the departure of Mariano Cúneo Libarona, promoted by sectors close to the Menem and Karina Milei in the libertarian internal party.
Ignacio Mahiquesthe youngest, has been investigative prosecutor No. 35 in the City of Buenos Aires since 2015. He acted as Gerardo Pollicita’s deputy in emblematic cases against Kirchnerism, such as Vialidad and Hotesur-Los Sauces, which made him one of the most noted by CFK. His role in criminal prosecution positioned him as a key figure in the so-called “lawfare”, although he has maintained a lower profile in recent years compared to his brother and father.
This family nucleus, often described as a “judicial clan”, illustrates the intersection between Justice, politics and power in Argentina, with a weight that transcends generations and generates both support and criticism for possible nepotism and influence in the system.
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