Kirchnerist debacle: Espinoza organized a multimillion-dollar fan fest for 50,000 people and fewer than 100 showed up

The Kirchnerist mayor of La Matanza, Fernando Espinoza, found himself at the center of criticism after organizing a multimillion-dollar fan fest to watch the Argentine National Team at a venue of the National University of La Matanza, which has a capacity for about 50,000 people, but was attended by fewer than 100 locals.

The municipal administration had heavily promoted the event on social media, with official videos and appearances by Espinoza himself. The setup included a giant screen, infrastructure for a mass event, security operations, barriers, and even a giant Messi doll at the entrance to try to attract the public.

However, the result was a resounding failure. Images of the virtually empty venue quickly circulated on social media and exposed the low turnout of the municipal apparatus in one of the historically most important districts for Peronism in Buenos Aires.

The opposition questioned not only the low attendance but also the use of public resources to set up an event of such magnitude. Local leaders demanded that the municipality report how much the event cost and what contracts were made for sound, screens, logistics, security, and infrastructure.