“We opened the doors of the house to him, he was part of the family. And then José gave him everything, which is why it is inexplicable how Juan ended up facing him”was the way they described in the environment of Joseph Alperovich the bond that for years united him Juan Manzur. This Thursday, on the occasion of testifying in the trial that moves Tucumán, the former Chief of Staff acknowledged that this relationship It finally went bankrupt in 2017 due to “political differences”. Translated: the then Tucumán governor wanted to re-elect in 2019 and blocked any return to the provincial Executive of whoever was his political boss.
Since then Alperovich, who is today being tried for the alleged sexual abuse of his niece, considers “a betrayal” the attitude of the owner of one of the best-known brands of olives in the country. Both leaders were allies for a decade and built power in the northern province and never gave up their desire to project themselves at the national level. Manzur became chief of staff in 2021 but his presidential dream was cut short two years later. He could not even be the Peronist candidate.
For its part, Alperovich ruled Tucumán with an iron fist for 12 years and lived the splendor of the “Won Decade“. Already in his second term, which began in 2007, he fully adhered to the Kirchnerist project and was benefited with large federal resources with which he “transformed” the province, as recognized by Manzur. This was precisely his Minister of Health until in 2007 and then he was its vice-governor for two terms. In 2015 he assumed the governorship. But it was his decision to seek a second term in 2019 that ended up breaking up this political partnership, bridging the gap, because there was no “friendship.” In between, Manzur ended up starring in a similar process with whoever was his vice and today leads the provincial Executive, Osvaldo Jaldo.
The problem, as stated, arose between 2017 and 2018 when the former governor tried to regain control of the northern province and Manzur prevented him from doing so. “He had been governor for two years, facing a tough time like Macri’s presidency. And José wanted the dolphin to be a mojarrita again,” graphed a source that worked with the health worker for years. At that time, Alperovich still had some popularity in the province but no voting intention. The passing of the years, and the harsh accusation that today has him in the dock, ended up destroying his political structure.
The accused did not want to make statements to this newspaper but a close collaborator referred to Manzur’s decision to testify at the trial. Diplomatic this time, she said that “if Justice asked her, she could not do anything else” than appear as a witness.
In his testimonial statement, the current national senator acknowledged that the case produced “a shock in society” and that the deterioration of the relationship with his former political boss led them to be “opponents” after he announced his campaign to challenge him for office. Governorship in 2019. “He was on the outside in that election and came fourth behind (Ricardo) Bussi and radicalism,” encouraged the consulted Manzurist source.
Osvaldo Jaldo’s predecessor chose “not to comment” when asked by Clarion after testifying at trial. But the source who knew how to work for years alongside her remembered that The case of Alperovich’s niece “seemed horrifying” to the senator and that for years was the commentary on the politics of the northern province. And finally, he emphasized that Manzur ended up “very angry politically and personally” with the former president who knew how to have several dealerships in Tucumán.
