The trigger: inflammatory statements
Spain’s Minister of Transport and Mobility, Óscar Puente, fanned the fire of discord by suggesting that Argentine President Javier Milei may have been under the influence of substances during the previous year’s election campaign. These insinuations, made at a colloquium on communication and social networks in Salamanca, have unleashed the wrath of the Argentine government.
Milei counterattacks with accusations against Sánchez
President Milei was quick to respond to Puente’s accusations through an official statement issued by the President’s Office. In it, the Argentine president launches harsh accusations against the president of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchez, accusing him of endangering the unity of the Kingdom of Spain by making agreements with separatists, of putting Spanish women at risk by allowing illegal immigration and of endanger the middle class with their socialist policies. Milei also alludes to the corruption scandal that affects Begoña Gómez, Sánchez’s wife, and expresses his wish that the Spanish people soon regain their freedom, since the socialist model, according to him, has only brought misery and decadence to Argentina.
The Spanish government responds
The Spanish government, through a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has regretted Minister Puente’s statements and has stated that they do not reflect the official position of the government. The statement also highlights that relations between Argentina and Spain are solid and that both countries share common values such as democracy and respect for human rights.
A history of diplomatic confrontations
The confrontation between Milei and Puente is not an isolated event. The Argentine president has been involved in other public diplomatic confrontations with international leaders, such as the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, whom he called a “terrorist murderer”; the president of Mexico, Manuel López Obrador, whom he called “ignorant”; and the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whom he described as a “corrupt communist.” He even dared to criticize Pope Francis, also Argentine, whom he accused of being a “communist” and “representative of the Evil One on earth.”
Political differences in the background
Clashes between Milei and other international leaders often have political overtones. The far-right Milei has shown his affinity for Vox, a Spanish far-right party, and will soon participate in a meeting organized by its president, Santiago Abascal. For his part, Sánchez, close to former Argentine president Alberto Fernández, supported the Peronist candidate Sergio Massa in the last elections and did not congratulate Milei after his electoral victory in November 2023.
The bridge between two nations in danger
The accusations crossed between Milei and Puente have endangered relations between Argentina and Spain. The Argentine government has summoned the Spanish ambassador in Buenos Aires to express its discontent and has threatened to take diplomatic measures if Spain does not take measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again. The Spanish government, for its part, has reiterated its commitment to good relations with Argentina and has apologized for Puente’s statements.
An uncertain future
The future of relations between Argentina and Spain is uncertain. The cross accusations have created a breach of trust that will be difficult to repair. The Argentine government has demanded a formal apology from the Spanish government and guarantees that similar incidents will not be repeated. The Spanish government, for its part, has expressed its willingness to maintain good relations with Argentina, but has asked the Argentine government to tone down its statements.
