La Matanza district political clash pits Kicillof faction against La Cámpora

La Matanza, the most populated district of Buenos Ayres Province with about 1.2 million voters, has become a focal point of an internal Peronist showdown. Mayor Fernando Espinoza, a longtime ally of Governor Axel Kicillof, faces challenges from the rival La Cámpora faction. In the 2023 primary elections the Kirchnerist list, in coalition with the Movimiento Evita, won, while opposition candidate Patricia Cubría secured 37 percent of the vote. Ahead of the 2024 elections, the Kicillof side is expected to field Vice‑Governor Verónica Magario as its candidate, whereas La Cámpora is considering provincial deputy Facundo Tignanelli, who has criticized Espinoza’s administration and hinted at a possible run. The dispute also extends to control of the municipal workers’ union, where the “Celeste” list led by Quique Giacomozzi and Rubén Bustos outperformed the rival “Rojo Punzó” list.