In the context of the second round of testimonial statements before the Special Investigating Commission of the Provincial Legislature , the former Secretary of Energy of Tierra del Fuego , Moisés Solorza , testified about the functioning and competencies of his area during the administration of Gustavo Melella (December 2019 to April 2023).

The parliamentary session —led by the Commission's president, legislator Pablo Villegas (MPF) — was marked by the absence of two key players in the administrative plot : the former head of the Río Grande Astronomical Station (EARG), José Luis Hormaechea , and the former president of the Provincial Energy Directorate (DPE), Juan Mancini Loiácono , who did not attend the meeting.

Solorza's testimony and the autonomy of the DPE

During the hearing, Moises Solorza was thoroughly questioned by legislators Pablo Villegas, Natalia Gracianía (LLA), Juan Carlos Pino (PJ), by the president of the Center of Malvinas Ex-Combatants in Ushuaia (CEMU), Juan Carlos Parodi and by the Secretary of Malvinas Affairs of the Municipality of Ushuaia, Dante Asili ; about whether he had prior knowledge of the installation of the British sensor, its dual use and the technical background issued by the Ministry of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The former secretary denied having been aware of the establishment and processing of LeoLabs , arguing two central points:

The power paradox: 315 kW for LeoLabs and a negative impact on local industry

One of the most relevant points contributed by the former secretary was the contradiction in the administration of Tolhuin's electrical capacity.

Solorza explained that, while during that period a new local sawmill was denied electricity supply under the technical argument of lack of power availability in the municipal network, in April 2022 the DPE authorized and reserved a supply of 315 kW from the Tolhuin power plant in favor of LeoLabs .

CEMU's complaint and request for parliamentary extension

Given the non-appearance of the other two summoned individuals, the Malvinas Ex-Combatants Center in Ushuaia stressed the urgent need to reiterate and guarantee the mandatory presence of Juan Mancini and José Luis Hormaechea .

In the case of Hormaechea, CEMU stressed the urgency of his interpellation due to his triple role in the case : as head of the Río Grande Astronomical Station, as a paid technical consultant for the firm LeoLabs and, later, as an official within the provincial Executive itself.

Given the volume of accumulated administrative files and the need to substantiate new summonses to officials and former officials at the provincial and national levels, legislator Pablo Villegas announced that he will request the Chamber to extend the initial 90-business-day deadline of the Commission .

It was also confirmed that formal summons will begin for provincial officials and political figures involved in the administrative procedures that enabled the radar's installation, in a context where official documentation continues to highlight the active role of the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications and Connectivity and ENACOM . In the latter case, ENACOM was then headed by Gustavo López , the national leader of the FORJA party, whose largest branch in the country is located in Tierra del Fuego, representing the ruling party headed by Governor Gustavo Melella .