Milei renews attacks on Spanish PM Sánchez during Madrid visit

President Javier Milei on Sunday renewed his expletive-laden criticism of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, calling him a "crook" during a visit to Madrid for an economic forum.

The speech – during which Argentina's president vowed "death to socialism" – marked the latest escalation in tensions between the two leaders, who clashed last year when Milei suggested Sánchez's wife was "corrupt," prompting Madrid to recall its ambassador from Buenos Aires.

Milei spoke Sunday night at the Madrid Economic Forum, a libertarian gathering that has close ties to cryptocurrency firms. 

As rock music played and some attendees shouted insults aimed at Sánchez, Milei gestured energetically and took a swipe at the Spanish leader.

"If you want to rough up the local crook too, I've got no problem with it," Milei said, referring to Sanchez.

Later in his speech, which focused on defending his administration's economic policies, Milei responded to audience members who yelled out: "We need you here!"

"I will always be on your side when it comes to opposing the socialist scum," he said, followed by an expletive referring to Sánchez's party, to thunderous applause.

Spanish officials had not commented on Milei's remarks as of late Sunday evening.

The comments came hours after tens of thousands of people rallied in Madrid in a demonstration organised by opposition parties, accusing Sánchezz's government of corruption.

Sánchez's wife, brother and a former top aide are all under investigation in separate graft cases. The Spanish PM has dismissed the probes as part of a right-wing "smear campaign" aimed at destabilising his government.

Milei, who took office in December 2023, has pledged to overhaul Argentina's struggling economy through deep spending cuts and deregulation.

Although his government posted the country's first budget surplus in over a decade last year, inflation, job losses and declining consumer spending have sparked public concern.

The La Libertad Avanza leader issued a fierce defence of his government

“‘Our goals were very ambitious. They said it was impossible, and now, after a year and a half, we have exceeded all our campaign goals. They told us it was impossible to make a five-point adjustment in a month, and we did it,” said the president.

“The model is definitely working. Therefore, what I want to leave you with is the testimony that the ideas of freedom work,” Milei said during his keynote speech.

“We know what needs to be done, we know how to do it. Therefore, let us not lack the courage to do it, because we are the ones who can get everyone back on their feet,” continued the president, whose speech was widely applauded.

Milei also declared that “by 2026, inflation in Argentina will be a thing of the past.”

“Today, Argentina has embraced the path of growth. In 40 years, it will be the world's leading power, without a doubt,” he claimed.

As is his custom, the President – who refuses to grant press conferences – lashed at the media and “corrupt journalists who spread filthy news.”

“We don’t have journalists enough,” he added. 

Milei arrived in Madrid on Saturday from Rome, where he met with Pope Leo XIV. The visit is part of a 10-day tour of Europe and Israel.

He also met with Santiago Abascal, his ally and the leader of Spain's far-right Vox party, but is not scheduled to meet with Sánchez.

Milei also met on Sunday with Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia, who has lived in exile in Spain since last September.

– TIMES/AFP/NA