On Wednesday, the Spanish government issued an unusually sharp statement condemning attacks by Argentine President Javier Milei on Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez The Foreign Ministry spoke of “insults and slander” and described Milei's appearance in Madrid as “undignified”. It also rejected an attempt to foster “a climate of polarisation and violence” between Spaniards and between Spain and Argentina .
On Wednesday, Milei had called Sánchez, among other things, an “unpresentable dictator” and “corrupt” at an event organised by the Nueva Economía Fórum in Madrid. The Foreign Ministry said the appearance went beyond political criticism. Its statement said Spain was a sovereign, democratic nation that would accept neither “outside interference” nor “attacks and insults” against the elected head of government and state institutions. The ministry also expressly condemned what it described as a “call to violence”, which it attributed to Milei.
The response bears the stamp of Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares. His ministry stressed that the issue was not suppressing controversial views, but protecting diplomatic respect between “friendly nations”. The statement announced no specific further steps, such as summoning Argentina's ambassador or issuing a formal note of protest.
Milei's appearance comes at a sensitive time in relations between the two countries. In the past, sharp remarks from Buenos Aires have already caused disquiet in Madrid and led to diplomatic tensions. The latest episode is notable in that it took place during a visit to Spain by the Argentine president and prompted an immediate official response from the Spanish government.
Milei's domestic political aims in his choice of words were initially a matter of interpretation. Supporters call it plain speaking; critics say it crosses lines and disregards international conventions. According to the government, Spain's priority is protecting its own institutions. At the time of writing, it was not known whether the presidential office in Buenos Aires or the Argentine embassy in Madrid would issue a further statement.
The Foreign Ministry concluded by stressing that Spain would defend its peaceful, democratic culture of debate against attempts to radicalise public discourse. The government initially deferred further assessment of the incident.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).