Argentina's President Javier Milei Sparks New Tensions with Insult Directed at Spain’s Prime Minister
- Victor Nwoko
- Jun 9
- 1 min read
Argentina's President Javier Milei reignited diplomatic tensions with Spain after insulting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during a public appearance in Madrid. The controversial remark came during the Madrid Economic Forum on Sunday evening, where Milei, without naming Sánchez directly, urged the audience to “clobber the local bandit.”
Sánchez’s office offered no official response to the insult, which closely mirrors a similar verbal attack from Milei just a year earlier. In May 2024, Milei publicly referred to Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez, as “corrupt,” prompting Spain to withdraw its ambassador from Buenos Aires for several months when Milei refused to issue an apology.
Despite escalating tensions, Argentina did not reciprocate by recalling its own ambassador from Madrid. Instead, Milei intensified his rhetoric, calling Sánchez “arrogant,” “totalitarian,” and a “coward.”
Gómez is currently under preliminary investigation in Spain for alleged influence peddling and corruption. Both she and Prime Minister Sánchez have denied any wrongdoing.
President Milei, elected in late 2023, is a libertarian economist and former television personality known for his combative style and provocative public behavior. He has made international headlines with unorthodox stunts, such as smashing a piñata of Argentina’s central bank during a live television appearance.
The renewed insult threatens to reignite diplomatic hostilities between Argentina and Spain at a time when both nations are navigating sensitive economic and political challenges. No official diplomatic actions have been announced following Milei’s latest outburst.
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