Diplomatic row over Milei drugs slur
Spain and Argentina had diplomatic daggers drawn at the weekend as the two countries traded barbs over drug taking and economic decline.
Spain and Argentina had diplomatic daggers drawn at the weekend as the two countries traded barbs over drug taking and economic decline.
Poor relations between the Hispanic nations hit a low on Friday night (Saturday AEST) when Spanish Transport Minister Oscar Puente suggested Argentinian President Javier Milei was on drugs.
Mr Milei’s office responded on Saturday by accusing Spanish Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of bringing “poverty and death” to his people and threatening Spain’s unity.
The spat comes two weeks ahead of a visit to Spain by Argentina’s “anarcho-capitalist” President, who will attend an event of the far-right Vox party and avoid the Socialist PM. The two have never had good ties.
Mr Sanchez supported Milei rival Sergio Massa in the election that brought Mr Milei to power in December and has not contacted him since the victory. Vox leader Santiago Abascal visited Buenos Aires for Mr Milei’s investiture.
Mr Milei’s anger this time appears to have been sparked by comments by Mr Puente linking the President to drug taking.
“I saw Milei on television” during the campaign, Mr Puente told a Socialist Party conference on Friday. “I don’t know if it was before or after the consumption … of substances.” He listed Mr Milei among some “very bad people” who have reached high office. Within hours, Mr Milei’s office issued a statement lambasting the Prime Minister.
“Sanchez put the middle class in danger with his socialist policies that bring only poverty and death,” he said. The government had also “endangered the unity of the kingdom” by making a deal with a separatist party to be able to stay in power.
AFP
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