Vice President Victoria Villarruel reappeared in public a week after President Javier Milei snubbed her by saying she had no say in the government’s decision-making. The VP posted several pictures smiling alongside Chief of Staff Guillermo Francos and highlighted that she is part of the administration.

Francos visited the Senate on Wednesday to present a report on the Milei administration and answer questions from the senators. Villarruel, who is the head of the Senate, met with him privately before the session and was later present during his presentation.

“We welcomed Chief of Staff Guillermo Francos at the Senate for his report on our government’s administration,” Villarruel wrote in an X post, making it clear she is part of it. 

“Transparency, efficiency and responsible administration of what belongs to us all.”

A source close to Villarruel told the Herald that this was a direct response to Milei’s comments.

After months of growing tensions, Milei made his breakup with Villarruel official last week when he said the VP “does not intervene in decision-making in any way” and that “she is closer to the caste.” He also said that his only conversation with Villarruel revolves around only what is “institutionally needed” for their roles.

Villarruel and Francos can be seen smiling and even laughing in the pictures, which were taken in the VP’s office over coffee and medialunas. They are also pictured in a meeting with senators and on the Senate floor for Francos’ presentation.

The source said that the meeting lasted 30 minutes and they spoke “in good terms” about Francos’ report, as well as the failed session the opposition attempted to carry out on Tuesday to reject a Milei decree that allows the government to take on debt without Congressional approval. They also spoke about the possibility of having extraordinary sessions over the summer to discuss the 2025 budget. Congress will end its regular schedule on Friday.

This is Francos’ second presentation in Congress. He had already presented a report before the Lower House in September. Before him, former Chief of Staff Nicolás Posse had presented the first Milei-era government report at the Senate in May. Shortly after that, he was fired.