Ties between Spain and its former colony Argentina are deteriorating since the election of far-right, self-described populist Javier Milei as Argentina’s head last December. The latter made statements about the Spanish government’s “socialism”–calling the Spanish government and its head Pedro Sanchez “sleaze” and his wife, Begoña Gómez, “corrupt”–during his participation at a VOX party event on Sunday in Madrid.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, said that Spain is demanding a formal public apology; otherwise, it “will take all measures deemed appropriate.”
In response to these accusations, Madrid called its envoy to Buenos Aires for consultations.
Presidential Spokesman Manuel Adorni said in a TV interview “The president does not have to apologize. In fact, we would be very pleased if the Spanish government would indeed apologize to the President for all the mistreatment, abuse, and insults he has received in the last 15 days.”
Milei, a far-right-wing reactionary who many see as conflating socialism with communism, did not miss the opportunity to cloak the very personal imbroglio in a blanket of political partisanship.
Adding fuel to the fire, he stated during his appearance at the VOX conference, “Socialism covers the darkest aspects of human nature, such as jealousy, anger, resentment, and, if necessary, murder. “Never forget that the damned socialists murdered 150 million human beings,” said Milei, warning that adopting socialism was “opening the door to death.”
Interior Minister Guillermo Francos stated that “Pedro Sánchez should apologize” instead for the things (his party) has said about the president.”
Francos said that while the president “did not mention” any names in his address. The Spanish authorities saw Sánchez and Gómez as being alluded to.
The escalation between the two countries started weeks before, following Transport Minister Oscar Puente’s derogatory remarks against Milei.
“For a minister of another country to imply that a president ingests certain substances is not only inappropriate but also quite aggressive. Based on that, the government expressed itself through the communiqué. The issue is over for us,” Adorni commented.
However, Argentina’s Interior Minister, Guillermo Francos, stated, “It appears to me that after such an offense by your government to the President of the Republic of Argentina, there is no chance except for an apology.”
When asked why the Argentine government opted to issue a statement via social media rather than calling the Spanish Embassy, Adorni retorted, “It is absolutely incredible that in the face of an aggression against a President of the Nation, they pretend to follow certain diplomatic steps.”
Following Puente’s statements, the Argentine President’s Office stated that the Spanish government should be concerned with more pressing issues, such as the possible participation of Sánchez’s wife in a corruption case that nearly led to his departure.