The diplomatic crisis between Madrid and Buenos Aires has intensified, as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defends the “honesty” of his wife, amidst allegations of “corruption” and “influence peddling” by Argentine President Javier Milei. The tension escalated when Milei labeled Begoña Gómez as “corrupt” at a far-right Vox party convention in Madrid, prompting an official response from both nations.
Pedro Sánchez, addressing the Chamber of Deputies, firmly stated his wife's professional integrity, arguing that the accusations lack tangible evidence. He expressed confidence that the judiciary would dismiss the allegations, which he described as a compilation of “hoaxes and defamation”. This controversy traces back to mid-April when a Madrid judge initiated an investigation against Gómez following claims by the ‘Manos Limpias’ association, further compounded by a similar complaint from ‘Hazte Oir’.
The investigation scrutinizes Gómez’s connections with the Globalia group, notably during Air Europa’s request for public aid amid the Covid-19 crisis. This Tuesday, a report from the Civil Guard found no criminal activities involving Gómez, a conclusion swiftly echoed by the government spokesperson Pilar Alegría, insisting that the case holds no merit.
Despite this, the right-wing and far-right factions have sustained their attacks on Sánchez. The situation escalated when Argentine President Javier Milei amplified these accusations, igniting a diplomatic firestorm by calling Gómez “corrupt”. Milei further exacerbated the scenario by refusing to apologize and instead suggested Sánchez seek “a psychologist” and legal counsel for his wife.
Madrid’s response was both swift and severe. Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, announced the permanent withdrawal of Spain’s ambassador from Buenos Aires, a move termed “unique in the history of international relations”. Albares condemned Milei’s remarks, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of Milei's interference in Spain's internal affairs.
The hostilities began with Milei’s disparaging remarks made in Madrid, later followed by inflammatory comments upon his return to Buenos Aires, where he characterized Sánchez as “cowardly” and claimed to be the one under attack. Milei rejected appeals to apologize, asserting that the derogatory remarks incited from Spain's government officials warrant acute reactions. The tension is further inflamed by prior incidents, including derogatory statements from Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente suggesting Milei's drug use.
The implications of this crisis extend beyond political rhetoric, significantly unsettling the business community. Spain, being the second-largest investor in Argentina after the U.S., fears economic repercussions, especially major corporations like BBVA, Santander, and Telefonica, which have voiced concerns over potential impacts on bilateral trade valued at nearly 15 billion euros annually.
- Pedro Sánchez’s defense underscores the intricate interplay between political rivalries and personal attacks, highlighting the fragile nature of diplomatic relations. As political figures employ defamation and litigation as tools, the consequences ripple across both national and international contexts.
- The ongoing diplomatic spat questions the resilience of the ‘fraternal ties’ mentioned by Sánchez, stressing the importance of diplomatic etiquette and the risks associated with damaging international business relations. Given Spain's significant economic stake in Argentina, this crisis possesses far-reaching implications, potentially affecting investment stability and bilateral cooperation.
