President Javier Milei’s government said Thursday it would shut down Argentina’s national anti-discrimination agency as part of its drive to slim down the state, saying the institute served “no purpose.”

Since taking office in December, Milei has fired 30,000 state employees, halted new public works contracts, and cut generous state subsidies for transport and energy in a bid to curb spending.

“The decision was made to move forward with the dismantling of institutes that serve absolutely no purpose, such as Inadi,” said presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni, referring to the National Institute against Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racism.

{snip}

In the past, Milei has accused Inadi of “ideological persecution” and wanting to “govern the way we speak,” referring to discrimination for language perceived as offensive.

{snip}

Among the many ministries he got rid of when taking office was the portfolio dealing with women, gender and diversity.

{snip}