Milei attacks Spanish PM as 'dictator' during Madrid visit

Argentina's President Javier Milei has intensified his criticism of Spain's government during a visit to the Spanish capital, describing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as a dictator in charged political rhetoric that underscores deepening tensions between the two nations.

The pointed attacks represent an escalation in Milei's public disputes with the Spanish leadership, reflecting his ideological differences with Sanchez's socialist government. Milei, who has positioned himself as a champion of free-market economics and limited government, has previously voiced criticism of left-leaning administrations across Latin America and Europe.

Milei's Madrid visit carries particular political weight, arriving less than six weeks before Spain's legislative elections scheduled for November 29. The timing has drawn attention to the potential diplomatic repercussions of his statements, as Latin American leaders typically maintain measured language in official international engagements.

The Argentine president's combative approach reflects his broader foreign policy stance, which has emphasised confrontation with political opponents rather than diplomatic restraint. His administration has pursued a notably different trajectory from previous Argentine governments in terms of international relations and rhetoric.