Argentine President embarks on unconventional visit to Spain, bypassing officials and seeking support from the far-right

Argentina’s President Javier Milei is making waves during his three-day visit to Madrid, where he has stirred controversy by accusing the socialist government of bringing “poverty and death” to Spain. The libertarian economist has opted not to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez or any other government officials, instead choosing to attend a far-right summit hosted by Sánchez’s political opponent, the Vox party.

Milei, known for his radical free-market economic ideas, presented his book “The Way of the Libertarian” at a literary event in Madrid, where he condemned socialism as “an intellectual fraud and a horror in human terms.” He also took the opportunity to promote the results of his austerity campaign in Argentina, celebrating a decline in monthly inflation.

The visit has further strained tensions between Milei and Sánchez, with the Argentine presidency accusing the Spanish government of endangering the middle class with socialist policies and pointing to corruption allegations against Sánchez’s wife, Begoña Gómez. The allegations have reportedly led Sánchez to consider stepping down as one of Europe’s longest-serving Socialist leaders.

Despite the controversy, Milei remains undeterred, describing his attendance at the Vox summit as a “moral imperative” and expressing his commitment to making Argentina the country with the most economic freedom in the world. His unorthodox approach and refusal to engage in traditional diplomatic niceties have solidified his reputation as a maverick figure on the global political stage.