Madrid Condemns Argentine President's Remarks Against Spanish Prime Minister
Madrid rejects insults by the Argentine President and calls for non-interference
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Madrid, October 21 (KUNA) -- Madrid strongly condemned on Wednesday the remarks made by Argentine President Javier Milei, who described Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as an "intolerable dictator," accusing him of inciting violence and interfering in Spain’s internal affairs and its people.
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release that Spain strongly condemns the "insults and slander" directed by Milei at Sánchez, Spain, and its people. It also firmly denounced the call for violence made by Milei earlier in the day during his visit to the capital, Madrid.
The statement emphasized that Spain is "a sovereign state that does not accept external interference, nor does it accept attacks or insults directed against its prime minister, its freely and democratically elected institutions, and its sovereignty." It added that the state "will not tolerate any party seeking to undermine peaceful and democratic coexistence."
The statement further noted that it is "inappropriate for a person holding the highest office in a sister country to visit our nation with the sole aim of fostering a climate of polarization and violence, whether among the Spanish people or between our two sister states: Spain and Argentina."
During his participation in an economic event on Wednesday as part of an unofficial visit to Madrid, Milei urged supporters of liberalism to "kick out and marginalize the Socialists" in the general Spanish elections scheduled for November 29, while describing Sánchez as an "intolerable dictator." He accused the Socialists of encouraging what he termed an "invasion" of the Spanish Crown city of Ceuta by illegal migrants during the previous summer for electoral purposes, claiming that the Spanish coalition government, led by left-wing Socialists, was ready to "destroy Spain to achieve its political goals."
Milei’s remarks come amid recurring tensions in relations between Madrid and Buenos Aires, stemming from Milei’s repeated criticisms of Sánchez and the Spanish government. This marks Milei’s seventh visit to Spain since assuming office in December 2023, all of which have been unofficial. During these visits, he has met with leaders of the far-right Vox party and officials from the Spanish right, but has never met with Sánchez.
According to the Argentine government, the current visit aims to support Spanish right-wing forces in the context of preparations for the parliamentary elections in November. (End) H.N.D./M.A.A.
