Sandra Pettovello

Sandra Pettovello
Born	Sandra Viviana Pettovello Template:Birth year and age Argentina
Occupation(s)	Journalist, consultant, politician
Years active	1990s–present
Known for	Minister of Human Capital (2023–present)

Sandra Viviana Pettovello (born ) is an Argentine journalist, consultant, and political figure currently serving as the Minister of Human Capital since 10 December 2023, appointed by President Javier Milei.

Between 2021 and 2023, she held the position of vice president of the Union of the Democratic Centre in Buenos Aires.

Early life and education

Pettovello was born on . She earned a licentiate degree in journalism from the University of Belgrano in 2003 and later obtained a licentiate in family sciences from Austral University in 2019. Additionally, she pursued postgraduate studies in family policies at the International University of Catalonia, along with further training in cyberpsychology, neuropsychoeducation, public administration, and reiki.

Career

Following her initial graduation, Pettovello contributed as a columnist for and was involved in producing the television news program before advancing her studies in family sciences.

From to , she occupied the role of second vice president within the Union of the Democratic Centre’s Buenos Aires branch.

On , President Javier Milei designated Pettovello to head the newly created Ministry of Human Capital, which merges the responsibilities formerly held by the ministries of culture, education, labor, and social development. As Milei’s inaugural ministerial selection during his presidential campaign, she perceives her duties as integrating efforts across these varied domains.

In her first official address as minister, Pettovello declared that individuals obstructing streets during an imminent annual protest would be subject to suspension of social welfare benefits.

Conflict with Soup Kitchens

On February 1, 2024, Sandra Pettovello confronted a protest organized by the Union of Popular Economy Workers (UTEP), who were accused of disrupting food distribution to government-supported soup kitchens since her tenure began. Pettovello expressed her commitment to personally aid anyone experiencing hunger. By February 5, a queue extending roughly 40 blocks formed with people seeking to speak with her; however, she refused to meet them. This incident became known as "the hunger line." On that same day, Pettovello faced criminal accusations for "breach of public duties" related to halting essential food deliveries to community dining facilities.

Controversies

In February, the Argentine Episcopal Conference publicly criticized the minister, emphasizing that "hundreds of thousands of families struggle increasingly to maintain adequate nutrition."

During the ongoing food crisis, Pettovello allocated 177 million pesos to the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of Argentina (ACEIRA) for procuring food modules. ACEIRA had supported Javier Milei’s presidential bid, and its pro-secretary’s daughter, Nadia Márquez, serves as a national deputy representing La Libertad Avanza.

Journalists Jorge Lanata and Marina Calabró reproached Minister Pettovello for carrying a Hermès Birkin handbag valued between 18,000 and 28,000 euros amid protests concerning food shortages and austerity policies.

Personal life

Her marriage to actor Pablo Rago began in 1993 but ended in divorce by 1994.