Argentine Lawyers Urge US DOJ to Investigate LIBRA
The LIBRA token scandal has escalated as a group of Argentine lawyers filed a criminal complaint with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on February 17.
The complaint seeks to hold those responsible for the financial fallout accountable, including Argentine President Javier Milei.
Legal Pressure Mounts on President Milei
According to Clarin, a leading Argentine newspaper, the complaint calls for a thorough investigation into the individuals behind LIBRA’s collapse and requests an inquiry into President Milei’s role in the matter. This development adds to the growing political tension in Argentina.
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On the same day, the Civic Coalition ARI, an Argentine political group, filed a separate criminal complaint with the Ministry of Justice, alleging that President Milei was involved in bribery and fraud. The coalition emphasized that the government should not act as both “judge and jury” in the case.
LIBRA Token’s Meteoric Rise and Fall
The LIBRA token experienced a dramatic surge on February 14 after President Milei endorsed it in a now-deleted post on X. His post described the token as a means to fund “small Argentine businesses and start-ups” and included the smart contract address. Following his endorsement, LIBRA’s market value soared to $4.56 billion within hours before crashing to $257 million, triggering panic among investors.
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The Argentine government has since attempted to distance Milei from the scandal, claiming that he was “scammed” by the individuals who launched LIBRA. Officials insist he was unaware of the token’s financial structure or potential risks. However, critics argue that Milei’s public endorsement significantly influenced investor confidence and contributed to the token’s volatile trajectory.
Opposition lawmaker Leandro Santoro has gone a step further, calling for Milei’s impeachment. “This scandal, which embarrasses us on a global scale, compels us to file an impeachment petition against the president,” Santoro told Reuters on February 16.
US President Donald Trump Comments on the Controversy
The LIBRA controversy has also drawn attention from international figures. On February 17, former US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, sharing a photo of Milei with the caption: “If printing money would end poverty, printing diplomas would end stupidity.” Milei responded by reposting multiple screenshots of Trump’s remarks on X, seemingly aligning himself with the former US president.
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Meanwhile, LIBRA’s founder, Hayden Davis, defended the token’s downfall in an interview with investigative YouTuber Coffeezilla. Davis denied fraud allegations, stating, “All the moaning on social media comes from people who didn’t get into the deals. If they were in, you wouldn’t hear them complain.” His comments have further fueled the debate over whether LIBRA was a legitimate but failed venture or a deliberate scam.
With investigations ongoing in both Argentina and the United States, the LIBRA scandal remains unresolved. It is yet to be seen whether Milei will face official charges or be cleared of wrongdoing. Meanwhile, investors who lost millions continue to seek justice in a case that could have long-term implications for cryptocurrency regulation and political accountability in Argentina.
