  Using Monte Carlo simulations and the two eg-orbital model for manganites,
the stability of the CE and A-type antiferromagnetic insulating states is
analyzed when quenched disorder in the superexchange JAF between the t2g
localized spins and in the on-site energies is introduced. At vanishing or
small values of the electron-(Jahn-Teller)phonon coupling, the previously
hinted "fragility" of these insulating states is studied in detail, focusing on
their charge transport properties. This fragility is here found to induce a
rapid transition from the insulator to a (poor) metallic state upon the
introduction of disorder. A possible qualitative explanation is presented based
on the close proximity in energy of ferromagnetic metallic phases, and also on
percolative ideas valid at large disorder strength. The scenario is compared
with previously discussed insulator-to-metal transitions in other contexts. It
is argued that the effect unveiled here has unique properties that may define a
new class of giant effects in complex oxides. This particularly severe effect
of disorder must be present in other materials as well, in cases involving
phases that arise as a compromise between very different tendencies, as it
occurs with striped states in the cuprates.
