Argentina's President Javier Milei called Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez a “dictator” during a visit to Madrid on Wednesday, October 21, sparking a fresh diplomatic row between the two countries just weeks before Spain's November 29 general election.
Speaking at an event in the Spanish capital, Milei said Spain “suffers under the disgraceful dictator Pedro Sánchez” and urged voters to “kick the socialists out, because you are the cradle of liberalism,” according to CNBC. The Spanish Foreign Ministry responded by condemning what it described as “insults and slander” and “external interference, attacks and insults” against the country's democratically elected institutions.
Spain's government calls the remarks 'disgraceful'
“Spain is a sovereign nation that does not accept external interference, nor attacks or insults against its Prime Minister and its freely, democratically and sovereignly elected institutions, nor does it tolerate anyone disrupting our peaceful and democratic coexistence,” the ministry said in a statement.
“It is disgraceful that a person holding the highest office in a sister nation should visit our country with the sole aim of attempting to foster a climate of polarization and violence amongst Spaniards and between sister nations such as Spain and Argentina,” the statement continued.
The Spanish foreign ministry also criticized Milei's “call for the use of violence,” as reported by Courthouse News Service.
Why the timing matters
Milei's unofficial visit comes as Spain prepares for a snap general election on November 29. Sánchez called the early vote on October 5 after lawmakers rejected his housing reforms, which had been drafted following nationwide protests over the country's housing crisis.
Sánchez, leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, has governed Spain since 2018 and is seeking a third term. However, current polling suggests a right-wing coalition between the conservative People's Party and the far-right Vox is the most likely outcome.
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares warned of external forces seeking to influence the November 29 elections and rejected recent accusations by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the migration situation in Ceuta, according to Demócrata.
A history of clashes between Milei and Sánchez
This is not the first confrontation between the two leaders. In 2024, Madrid withdrew its ambassador from Buenos Aires for several months after Milei called Sánchez's wife “corrupt” and directed a barrage of insults at the Spanish prime minister.
Milei publicly criticized Sánchez's government again in June 2025 and September 2026. He has also cultivated close ties with Trump, who has himself clashed with Sánchez this year. The U.S. president threatened to cut off trade and relations with Spain after the two traded criticism over the U.S.-Iran war and defense spending.
What happens next
Spain's general election takes place on November 29. Milei, meanwhile, faces his own re-election battle in 2027 amid mounting debt problems and a sluggish Argentine economy.
For observers of Latin American politics, the episode is familiar territory. Milei's rhetoric, a hallmark of his libertarian brand, may energize his base at home, but it risks further isolating Argentina on the international stage, a cost that a country grappling with economic instability can ill afford.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Javier Milei say about Pedro Sánchez?
During a visit to Madrid on October 21, 2026, Milei called Sánchez a “disgraceful dictator” and urged Spanish voters to “kick the socialists out” ahead of the November 29 election.
How did Spain's government respond to Milei's comments?
The Spanish Foreign Ministry condemned the remarks as “insults and slander” and “external interference,” calling it “disgraceful” that a foreign head of state would visit Spain to foster polarization.
When is Spain's next general election?
Spain holds a snap general election on November 29, 2026. Sánchez called the vote after lawmakers rejected his housing reform package on October 5.