Madrid threatens to worsen relations with Buenos Aires after 'insult'

Mr. Sanchez demanded an apology from the Argentine President. Photo: Alberto Gardin/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

Spain has threatened to downgrade relations with Argentina after Javier Miley called the left-wing prime minister «tainted» by his wife's «corruption.»

Argentine President criticizes Pedro Sanchez at a rally of far-right parties organized by Vox on Sunday.

Citing Mr. Sanchez's taking five days off from his duties after a Madrid court opened a preliminary investigation into his wife, Begoña Gomez, on charges of peddling influence and corruption, Mr. Miley said this shows how socialism led to «abuses» with leaders who had «driven themselves into a dead end.» into power.”

“Even when his wife is corrupt and he is tainted, he takes five days to think about it,” Mr. Miley said to applause and applause at the Europa Viva event in Madrid.< /p>

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On Monday, Mr. Sanchez of the Socialist Party demanded an apology from Mr. Miley.

If he doesn't get it, «the response will be commensurate with the dignity of Spanish democracy and the fraternal ties that bind Spain and Argentina, currently led by a president who has unfortunately let himself down,» Mr Sanchez said.

Javier Miley, President of Argentina, speaks at the Long Live Europe 24! A rally with Latin American far-right parties ahead of European Parliament elections as far-right politicians meet in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday Photo: Anadolu

Earlier, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albarez said Madrid would “take all necessary actions to defend our sovereignty” if Mr. Miley did not make a public apology.

Spain has now recalled its ambassador from Argentina to consultations and summoned the Argentine representative in Madrid to formally ask for an apology.

Mr Miley has not yet responded publicly to the scandal, but members of his administration have said Spain should not expect the outspoken president to back down.

“I don't know why there was so much offence. I don’t understand why he should apologize,” said Guillermo Francos, Argentina’s interior minister.

Manuel Adorni, Mr. Milei’s spokesman, said the Argentine president would not apologize for his remarks in Madrid, arguing that the Spanish government itself should have apologized for criticizing Mr. Miley.

Earlier this month, Spain's Transport Minister Oscar Puente joked about Mr Milei, suggesting the Argentine leader appeared to be «on drugs».

Deep economic and business ties

This led to Milei's furious response , who criticized Sánchez for the accusations against Gomez, as well as for his “socialist policies that bring only poverty and death.”

It was then revealed that Miley was traveling to the Spanish capital to attend the Europa Viva rally, but did not meet with any member of the Spanish government.

Marine Le Pen, a French activist, also attended the rally in Madrid. — Right-wing leader: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Hungary's Viktor Orban spoke at the event via video link.

While in Madrid, Miley met with the heads of major Spanish companies, including Telefonica and the country's two largest companies. banks, Santander and BBVA, which have since condemned the Argentine president's attack on Mr Sanchez.

Spain and Argentina have traditionally maintained good diplomatic relations and have deep economic and business ties. This decade, the two countries reached agreements on energy, mineral resources and the fight against organized crime, and Spain initiated a temporary exemption from EU grain import restrictions to buy grain from Argentina after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Spanish officials stressed that any actions taken in response to Mr Milea's comments will not affect the more than 300,000 Spanish residents born in Argentina.