Spain has refuted allegations by Argentine President Javier Milei accusing Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of promoting policies that cause harm. The diplomatic row underscores growing tensions between Spain’s left-leaning government and Argentina’s right-wing leadership.
Spain has categorically dismissed allegations made by the Argentine presidency that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is responsible for causing “poverty and death” in Argentina. The row began after remarks from Spanish minister Óscar Puente suggesting that Argentine President Javier Milei had been under the influence of “substances” during his campaign. In retaliation, Milei accused Sánchez of harmful policies, particularly in relation to illegal immigration and separatists.
The Spanish Foreign Ministry refuted these accusations, stressing that these statements do not reflect the underlying bilateral relations. Given Milei’s decision to attend an event by Spain’s far-right Vox party, it highlights the political tensions between Milei’s right-wing populist administration and Spain’s left-wing coalition government led by Sánchez.
In a separate statement, President Milei shifted Argentina’s long-standing position on the Falkland Islands, acknowledging the islands’ current status under British control while also applauding the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for her leadership during the 1982 conflict. Milei advocated for a diplomatic, rather than militaristic, approach to resolving the sovereignty dispute—a stark contrast to the rhetoric of previous Argentine leaders.
The British Foreign Secretary responded by reaffirming the right to self-determination for the Falklanders and describing them as an integral part of the British family. This signals continuing discussions on the sovereignty of the Falklands, despite the historical conflict and ongoing diplomatic challenge represented by the dispute.
