{ "id": "epdh1p25xf", "slug": "victoria-villarruel", "title": "Victoria Villarruel", "updated": "2026-09-29", "topic_path": [ { "id": "society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society" }, { "id": "society.politics", "label": "Politics and government", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions", "label": "Government and public administration", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders", "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.latin-american-politicians", "label": "Latin American politicians", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.latin-american-politicians" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.latin-american-politicians.ministers", "label": "Ministers and government officials", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.latin-american-politicians.ministers" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.latam.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.latin-american-politicians", "label": "Latin America and the Caribbean · 2021 and later: Latin American politicians", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.latam.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.latin-american-politicians", "path": [ { "id": "geo.latam", "label": "Latin America and the Caribbean", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.latam" }, { "id": "geo.latam.t2021", "label": "Latin America and the Caribbean · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.latam.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.latam.t2021.society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.latam.t2021.society" }, { "id": "geo.latam.t2021.society.politics", "label": "Politics and government", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.latam.t2021.society.politics" }, { "id": "geo.latam.t2021.society.politics.institutions", "label": "Government and public administration", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.latam.t2021.society.politics.institutions" }, { "id": "geo.latam.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders", "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.latam.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders" }, { "id": "geo.latam.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.latin-american-politicians", "label": "Latin American politicians", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.latam.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.latin-american-politicians" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Victoria Villarruel is an Argentine politician who has served as Vice President of Argentina and president of the Senate since 2023, elected as Javier Milei's running mate.", "snippet": "Victoria Villarruel is an Argentine politician who has served as Vice President of Argentina and president of the Senate since 2023, elected as Javier Milei's running mate.", "node": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.latin-american-politicians.ministers", "markdown": "# Victoria Villarruel\n\nVictoria Villarruel is an Argentine politician who has served as Vice President of Argentina since 2023[1](https://www.imago.com.ar/en/politica/35260/villarruel-rejects-resignation-demands-escalating-tension-with-mileis-government) • [2](https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/top-milei-official-says-argentinas-vp-not-part-of-our-administration.phtml). As vice president she is also the chief of the Senate[2](https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/top-milei-official-says-argentinas-vp-not-part-of-our-administration.phtml). She previously served as a National Deputy in the Chamber of Deputies[3](https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/la-companera-de-formula-de-milei-rechazo-la-venta-de-organos-nid04062023/) and as president of the Partido Demócrata of the province of Buenos Aires[4](https://economis.com.ar/victoria-villarruel-candidata-a-vice-de-javier-milei-creo-que-hay-que-derogar-la-ley-del-aborto/).\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Current office | Vice President of Argentina and President of the Senate (since 2023)[1](https://www.imago.com.ar/en/politica/35260/villarruel-rejects-resignation-demands-escalating-tension-with-mileis-government) |\n| Previous offices | National Deputy; President of the Partido Demócrata of the province of Buenos Aires[3](https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/la-companera-de-formula-de-milei-rechazo-la-venta-de-organos-nid04062023/) • [4](https://economis.com.ar/victoria-villarruel-candidata-a-vice-de-javier-milei-creo-que-hay-que-derogar-la-ley-del-aborto/) |\n\n## Early life and education\n\nVillarruel is the daughter of Eduardo Villarruel, a lieutenant colonel and Malvinas War veteran who served as second chief of the 602 commando company[4](https://economis.com.ar/victoria-villarruel-candidata-a-vice-de-javier-milei-creo-que-hay-que-derogar-la-ley-del-aborto/). She has said that at age 18 she began working as a receptionist in a dental center, and that at 21 she joined a law firm[5](https://www.perfil.com/noticias/politica/victoria-villarruel-no-me-vengan-a-decir-que-su-hijo-es-una-blanca-paloma-si-integraba-una-organizacion-armada.phtml). She worked at the civil association Centro de Estudios Legales sobre el Terrorismo y sus Víctimas (Center for Legal Studies on [Terrorism](https://www.edgepedia.org/terrorism) and its Victims)[6](https://portaldeprensa.com/post-details.php?id=519).\n\n## Career\n\nVillarruel served as a National Deputy in the Chamber of Deputies[3](https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/la-companera-de-formula-de-milei-rechazo-la-venta-de-organos-nid04062023/) and as president of the Partido Demócrata of the province of Buenos Aires[4](https://economis.com.ar/victoria-villarruel-candidata-a-vice-de-javier-milei-creo-que-hay-que-derogar-la-ley-del-aborto/). In 2023 she was selected as the running mate of [Javier Milei](https://www.edgepedia.org/javier-milei)[2](https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/top-milei-official-says-argentinas-vp-not-part-of-our-administration.phtml). After the 2023 election win she became Vice President of Argentina and chief of the Senate[2](https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/top-milei-official-says-argentinas-vp-not-part-of-our-administration.phtml).\n\nIn December 2025 she traveled to Madrid for the preparatory meeting of a parliamentary leaders' forum, where she spoke on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnologies, and demographic change[7](https://www.mdzol.com/politica/victoria-villarruel-se-acopla-milei-tambien-viaja-al-exterior-y-bartolome-abdala-ejercera-la-presidencia-n1615355).\n\n## Electoral history\n\nIn the 2023 presidential election, Villarruel was elected Vice President of Argentina as Javier Milei's running mate[2](https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/top-milei-official-says-argentinas-vp-not-part-of-our-administration.phtml). She took office in 2023[1](https://www.imago.com.ar/en/politica/35260/villarruel-rejects-resignation-demands-escalating-tension-with-mileis-government).\n\n## Issues specific to Villarruel\n\nVillarruel's relationship with President Milei and his inner circle has been tense. Then-presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni said in a 2024 radio interview that Villarruel does not take part in Cabinet meetings and is not considered part of the administration; he added that she is free to take whichever path she wishes[2](https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/top-milei-official-says-argentinas-vp-not-part-of-our-administration.phtml). By late 2024, Milei said in a televised interview that Villarruel had essentially withdrawn from Cabinet meetings, and she began openly criticizing aspects of the government's economic and fiscal approach[2](https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/top-milei-official-says-argentinas-vp-not-part-of-our-administration.phtml).\n\nOn July 30, 2026, after Milei shared a post by deputy Lilia Lemoine accusing Villarruel and legislator Marcela Pagano of having moved toward [Peronism](https://www.edgepedia.org/peronism), Villarruel wrote: \"Tengo genuina preocupación por su estado y por las persecuciones imaginarias que replica en la Argentina y el exterior\" (Edgepedia translation: \"I have genuine concern for his state and for the imaginary persecutions he replicates in Argentina and abroad\")[8](https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/villarruel-le-respondio-al-canciller-quirno-y-volvio-a-hablar-de-su-frase-sobre-el-estado-de-milei-nid07082026/). On August 7, 2026, while serving as acting president during Milei's trip to Colombia, Villarruel rejected calls for her resignation, saying: \"I don't destabilize anyone, nothing could be further from me. I have always adhered to and respected the country's institutions and the national Constitution; everything I do is out of love for the fatherland.\" She added that Quirno had overstepped and that such words should be said face to face, not to scandalize the population[1](https://www.imago.com.ar/en/politica/35260/villarruel-rejects-resignation-demands-escalating-tension-with-mileis-government). She said she would not resign: \"The Argentines elected us as a formula, and I will honor the commitment and duty that the Argentines entrusted to me; I am proud to be the Vice President of the Nation.\"[1](https://www.imago.com.ar/en/politica/35260/villarruel-rejects-resignation-demands-escalating-tension-with-mileis-government) Asked whether her comment about the president's condition referred to his mental health, she replied: \"No, I wasn't referring to that.\"[1](https://www.imago.com.ar/en/politica/35260/villarruel-rejects-resignation-demands-escalating-tension-with-mileis-government) Villarruel also alleged on social media that the ruling party was seeking her resignation, a proposal she rejected[9](https://batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/vice-president-villarruel-says-milei-government-wants-her-to-resign.phtml).\n\n## Positions and record in office\n\n### Victims of 1970s terrorism\n\nVillarruel has called for recognition of crimes committed by the [Montoneros](https://www.edgepedia.org/montoneros) and ERP guerrilla organizations of the 1970s. In a 2023 interview she said: \"Es fundamental que reconozcamos todo lo que ocurrió en nuestra historia\" (Edgepedia translation: \"It is fundamental that we recognize everything that happened in our history\"), adding that the country needs \"justicia, verdad y reparación\" (Edgepedia translation: \"justice, truth and reparation\"). She has also said she met with both [Jorge Rafael Videla](https://www.edgepedia.org/jorge-rafael-videla) and former Montoneros members as a lawyer, and that she does not justify describing children of the Madres de Plaza de Mayo as innocent when they belonged to armed organizations[10](https://www.cadena3.com/noticia/cadena-3-elecciones-2023/villarruel-en-exclusiva-con-cadena-3-estamos-peor-que-paises-en-guerra_370798) • [5](https://www.perfil.com/noticias/politica/victoria-villarruel-no-me-vengan-a-decir-que-su-hijo-es-una-blanca-paloma-si-integraba-una-organizacion-armada.phtml). She asked \"que algún día haya una comisión de la verdad, como lo fue la CONADEP, para investigar los crímenes\" (Edgepedia translation: \"that one day there be a truth commission, like the CONADEP, to investigate the crimes\") of the guerrilla organizations[4](https://economis.com.ar/victoria-villarruel-candidata-a-vice-de-javier-milei-creo-que-hay-que-derogar-la-ley-del-aborto/).\n\n### Abortion\n\nAs a vice-presidential candidate, Villarruel said: \"Creo que hay que derogar la ley del aborto\" (Edgepedia translation: \"I believe the abortion law must be repealed\")[4](https://economis.com.ar/victoria-villarruel-candidata-a-vice-de-javier-milei-creo-que-hay-que-derogar-la-ley-del-aborto/) • [6](https://portaldeprensa.com/post-details.php?id=519).\n\n### Security\n\nIn the 2023 campaign, Villarruel said the federal security forces should return to their functions, with [Gendarmerie](https://www.edgepedia.org/gendarmerie) guarding borders and the [Prefecture](https://www.edgepedia.org/prefecture) guarding the coasts, and that the Ministry of Security's role needed to be reorganized. She said [La Libertad Avanza](https://www.edgepedia.org/la-libertad-avanza) was analyzing a lower age of criminal responsibility, which could be set at 14, to be proposed in Congress[10](https://www.cadena3.com/noticia/cadena-3-elecciones-2023/villarruel-en-exclusiva-con-cadena-3-estamos-peor-que-paises-en-guerra_370798).\n\n### Sale of organs\n\nAs a pre-candidate for vice president in 2023, Villarruel rejected the sale of organs, differing from Milei, who had described it as one more market. She said: \"Yo ya he expresado que no estoy a favor de eso y que no considero que el cuerpo humano sea una mercancía\" (Edgepedia translation: \"I have already said that I am not in favor of that and that I do not consider the human body to be a commodity\"), and that it was not a policy of her political space[3](https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/la-companera-de-formula-de-milei-rechazo-la-venta-de-organos-nid04062023/).\n\n### Economy and labor\n\nAs vice president, Villarruel posted on social media that \"without national employment and without national production there are no real government policies\", messages widely read as a critique of the government's economic liberalization model[2](https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/top-milei-official-says-argentinas-vp-not-part-of-our-administration.phtml). At the Madrid forum in December 2025 she said: \"Debemos liderar cadenas de valor y no limitarnos a ser proveedores de materias primas\" (Edgepedia translation: \"We must lead value chains and not limit ourselves to being suppliers of raw materials\")[7](https://www.mdzol.com/politica/victoria-villarruel-se-acopla-milei-tambien-viaja-al-exterior-y-bartolome-abdala-ejercera-la-presidencia-n1615355).\n\n## References\n\n1. [Villarruel Rejects Resignation Demands, Escalating Tension with Milei's Government](https://www.imago.com.ar/en/politica/35260/villarruel-rejects-resignation-demands-escalating-tension-with-mileis-government)\n2. [Top Milei official says VP Villarruel 'not part of our administration'](https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/top-milei-official-says-argentinas-vp-not-part-of-our-administration.phtml)\n3. [La compañera de fórmula de Milei rechazó la venta de órganos](https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/la-companera-de-formula-de-milei-rechazo-la-venta-de-organos-nid04062023/)\n4. [Victoria Villarruel, candidata a vice de Javier Milei: Creo que hay que derogar la ley del aborto](https://economis.com.ar/victoria-villarruel-candidata-a-vice-de-javier-milei-creo-que-hay-que-derogar-la-ley-del-aborto/)\n5. [Victoria Villarruel apuntó contra las Madres de Plaza de Mayo](https://www.perfil.com/noticias/politica/victoria-villarruel-no-me-vengan-a-decir-que-su-hijo-es-una-blanca-paloma-si-integraba-una-organizacion-armada.phtml)\n6. [Entrevista a Victoria Villarruel, candidata a vicepresidente de Milei](https://portaldeprensa.com/post-details.php?id=519)\n7. [Victoria Villarruel se acopla a Milei, también viaja al exterior y Bartolomé Abdala ejercerá la presidencia](https://www.mdzol.com/politica/victoria-villarruel-se-acopla-milei-tambien-viaja-al-exterior-y-bartolome-abdala-ejercera-la-presidencia-n1615355)\n8. [Villarruel le respondió al canciller Quirno y volvió a hablar de su frase sobre el \"estado\" de Milei](https://www.lanacion.com.ar/politica/villarruel-le-respondio-al-canciller-quirno-y-volvio-a-hablar-de-su-frase-sobre-el-estado-de-milei-nid07082026/)\n9. [Vice-President Villarruel says government wants her to resign](https://batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/vice-president-villarruel-says-milei-government-wants-her-to-resign.phtml)\n10. [Villarruel, en exclusiva con Cadena 3: Estamos peor que países en guerra](https://www.cadena3.com/noticia/cadena-3-elecciones-2023/villarruel-en-exclusiva-con-cadena-3-estamos-peor-que-paises-en-guerra_370798)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › Latin American politicians › Ministers and government officials*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Sep 29, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/victoria-villarruel", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/victoria-villarruel.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Victoria Villarruel\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/victoria-villarruel. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Victoria Villarruel](https://www.edgepedia.org/victoria-villarruel)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/victoria-villarruel](https://www.edgepedia.org/victoria-villarruel). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Victoria Villarruel\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/victoria-villarruel. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Victoria Villarruel is an Argentine politician who has served as Vice President of Argentina and president of the Senate since 2023, elected as Javier Milei's running mate." }