Administrative and constitutional law expert Santiago Castro Videla has been named head of Argentina’s treasury prosecution office. 

Presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni announced the appointment during his Tuesday morning press conference. “We wish him every success in his new role,” he said.

Castro is a partner in the law firm Bianchi, Galarce and Castro Videla, which focuses on complex public law problems for corporate clients. His LinkedIn profile does not list any previous experience in government positions.

Castro, 43, holds a law degree and an administrative law masters from the Austral University, where he has been a visiting lecturer since 2007. He has also taught at the Argentine Business University (UADE, by its Spanish initials) business school, the University of Buenos Aires, and the Catholic University of Argentina, according to his LinkedIn profile. He has authored several books and articles. 

The head of Argentina’s treasury prosecution office is one of the state’s most powerful lawyers. Castro’s predecessor, former Supreme Court Justice and Justice Minister Rodolfo Barra, was involved in planning strategies to defend the government in cases such as the YPF expropriation lawsuit in New York and domestic complaints against legislation backed by the government.

Barra (pictured, right) was asked to resign on Friday, reportedly because one of his rulings upholding the complaint of a former Justice Ministry worker had displeased Milei. A source close to Barra refused to confirm or deny to the Herald claims that Barra was living in Spain.

Barra’s appointment had also been lambasted by Jewish groups in Argentina. During his youth, he participated in a neo-Nazi movement known as the Tacuara Nationalist Movement, which perpetrated anti-semitic attacks and at least one murder. In 1996, Barra was forced to quit as then-president Carlos Menem’s justice minister when his involvement in the group became public.

“Of course, we thank [Castro’s] predecessor, Rodolfo Barra, for his contribution, and we wish him all the best in his next professional challenges,” Adorni said.