Former River Plate player Oscar Ahumada joins Hechos political group

Former River Plate midfielder Oscar Ahumada has joined the political space Hechos, led by former San Nicolás mayor Manuel Passaglia, as he pursues a bid for the mayoralty of Zárate. The announcement, reported by Infobae, was made via a video posted to social media showing the two men on a soccer field.

“If you put in half the grit and heart you showed in soccer, you will turn things around in Zárate in no time,” Passaglia stated during the clip. In response, Ahumada noted his background in professional sports, saying, “I come from sports, as I said. For me, I don’t know how to play any other way. I feel comfortable working in a team.”

Ahumada’s move follows his departure from the Libertad Avanza party. He had previously sought a mayoral candidacy with the party but announced his exit in September following internal friction. By joining Hechos, Ahumada aligns himself with a movement that is attempting to position itself as an alternative to both the current national government and the former administration of the Kirchnerist era.

Manuel Passaglia and his brother, current San Nicolás mayor Santiago Passaglia, formally launched their national political project, Hechos, in late October. The brothers presented their home city of San Nicolás as the foundation for a platform focused on employment, industry, education, and security. They argue that the country needs to move past what they describe as “two failures” represented by the current administration and the Kirchnerist opposition.

The Passaglia brothers have centered their campaign on the idea of “normalizing” the country, emphasizing their experience in municipal management as a model for national governance. While they have not yet named a presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, they have promoted the concept of a new leadership emerging from the country’s productive interior.

“We need more people committed like you, capable, who get involved and fight,” Manuel Passagua said to Ahumada in the video. “If we all look away and fold our arms, nothing changes—not the city, not the province, not Argentina.”

Former Footballer Joins Pragmatic Movement After Party Split

Ahumada’s transition into local politics in Zárate marks his second attempt at securing a mayoral candidacy under a new banner. His previous tenure within the Libertad Avanza framework ended in September, a decision he attributed to internal disagreements. The Hechos platform, which bills itself as a pragmatic force rather than an ideological one, has positioned the former footballer as a new member of their project.

The movement led by the Passaglia brothers emphasizes a rejection of the current political polarization. Santiago Passaglia has stated that the citizenry should not be forced to choose between the existing national administration and a return to the past, characterizing both as failing models. The group intends to use their municipal track record in San Nicolás as evidence of their ability to govern.

The next steps for the Hechos space include further efforts to build a national presence ahead of the 2027 cycle. The group is currently focusing on establishing its identity as a pragmatic alternative that prioritizes concrete management results over traditional political narratives.

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