The recent trip of President Javier Gerardo Milei to Spain has sparked significant controversy and public scrutiny. The Argentinean leader traveled to Spain between May 17 and 19, accompanied by his sister and Secretary General of the Presidency, Karina Milei. Despite the private nature of this trip, the expenses of this and other international visits have raised concerns among the opposition and the public about the proper use of state funds.
Detailed in a letter from the Madrid Embassy to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Milei's journey was meant to participate in the launch of the election campaign for his friend Santiago Abascal's ultra-right Vox party. The lack of official bilateral meetings with Spanish authorities led to questions about the necessity and justification for the state-funded travel. The government's spokesman, Manuel Adorni, defended the trip, emphasizing Milei's planned meetings with major Spanish businessmen with investments in Argentina.
Milei’s frequent international tours have been a source of contention, primarily because they appear to contrast his domestic stance on austerity and public spending cuts. Since assuming office, Milei has undertaken seven international trips, with the first three known to cost approximately $168,000 and the latest trips expected to have much higher expenses due to the use of the presidential plane for security reasons. In addition to this, Milei’s actions have included interactions with high-profile figures such as Donald Trump and Elon Musk, consistently aligning with right-wing political figures and platforms.
Further compounding the controversy, the recent statements and actions by Milei have led to diplomatic tensions, especially with Spain, following the withdrawal of the Spanish ambassador from Buenos Aires. Although the Argentine government assures that consular services will remain unaffected, the degradation of diplomatic relations has raised concerns among the citizens regarding the possible long-term impacts.
- In light of the diplomatic tensions, Manuel Adorni confirmed that Argentina will not reciprocate by withdrawing their ambassador from Spain. He emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relations between the two nations despite the current disagreements between their leaders. This stance underscores the principle that diplomatic relations between countries should transcend individual conflicts.
- More than 510,000 Argentinians reside in Spain. Both nations have extensive consular representation to manage their respective diaspora communities. According to Fernando Petrella, former vice chancellor of Argentina, consular services will remain operational despite the withdrawal of the ambassador, highlighting that such consular operations fall under a different set of diplomatic agreements.
