José Velis takes leave of absence from Argentina Customs leadership

José Andrés Velis, the director of Argentina's General Directorate of Customs, has requested a two-week leave of absence granted by the Agency for Revenue and Customs Control (ARCA). The move has sparked speculation regarding his future in the role, although officials from Casa Rosada stated that no leadership changes have been confirmed.

Velis, who assumed his position in October 2024 as part of a restructuring effort to reform the customs agency, has a 44-year career within the organization. His tenure has included various operational roles at Ezeiza Airport and the Port of Buenos Aires.

Public records indicate a significant increase in Velis's assets over the last decade. While his 2012 declaration included specific vehicles and 245,000 pesos in savings, his more recent filings reflect ownership of a large property in San Isidro, several high-end vehicles, and approximately US$32,000 in savings. This leadership uncertainty comes amid reports of systemic weaknesses in the agency, including an audit by the General Comptroller of the Nation that identified over 290 failures in the customs security camera system.