The victory of libertarian Javier Milei in Argentina’s presidential election over the weekend drew mixed reactions around the world, including hostility from some on the Latin American left, tentative support from others and a pledge from China to co-operate despite his critical statements.
Milei capitalised on voter anger over a deep economic crisis and years of economic malfunction to win by double-digit margins in Sunday’s runoff vote.
Mexico’s leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador reacted to the election results by saying he respected the verdict of voters, adding that Milei’s victory was unlikely to ease Argentina’s problems, in his view.
This is something we don’t think will help. It was an own goal.
Leftist leaders in Venezuela and Colombia also expressed regret over Sunday’s election results. Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the result “sad for Latin America.”
However, other left-wing Latin American leaders voiced strong support. Chilean President Gabriel Boric and Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed their best wishes to Milei.
Democracy is the voice of the people, and it must always be respected.
Still, a close aide to Lula commented that Milei had insulted the Brazilian leader and must apologise to him before any talks could begin.
Other people outside the region, to whom Milei has shown little friendship, have also behaved diplomatically. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Milei, ignoring his past support for Ukraine and also hinting that Argentina would not join the Russian-backed BRICS group under Milei’s leadership.
We will focus on and judge [Milei] mainly by the statements that he makes after the inauguration.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stated that Beijing was willing to work with Argentina to “keep relations on a steady course,” despite some critical comments from Milei’s team during the election campaign.
Milei has found enthusiastic support among right-wing populists, including former US President Donald Trump, who told Milei in a video to “make Argentina great again,” and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, whom Lula defeated by a narrow margin last year.
I’m really happy. You have a big job ahead of you … and it’s a job that goes beyond Argentina.
The leader of Spain’s far-right Vox party congratulated Miley, while Chile’s right-wing opposition leader José Antonio Kast hailed his “resounding victory.”
El Salvador’s president Nayib Bukele, who also arrived in office on a wave of popular discontent, reacted by riffing on the song “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from the musical “Evita” and adding:
Now say it without crying.
