Despite confirming his attendance, Argentine President Javier Milei changed his plans and canceled the trip he had scheduled for next Friday to Mexico, according to the newspaper The Nation. This would have been his 15th trip since taking office at the Casa Rosada.
His itinerary in Mexico, which was originally planned for two days, included a meeting with local businessmen and his participation in another summit of the Conservative Action Political Conference (CPAC). A meeting with the Mexican president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, was not on the agenda.
Official sources informed The Nation that the President will be in Rosario on Friday to attend the 140th anniversary of the Stock Exchange in that city, located in Santa Fe.
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However, Argentine media highlighted two main reasons for the cancellation: first, a survey indicated that Argentines are more troubled by Milei’s frequent foreign trips than by the gender violence scandal involving former Argentine President Alberto Fernández, who is under investigation for alleged assaults against his ex-partner, the former First Lady Fabiola Yáñez.
Second, there is a strained relationship between Milei and Vice President Victoria Villarruel, who would have had to take his place in his absence, leading to multiple disagreements between them.
La Nación noted that Milei’s tendency to travel to various countries to receive awards or participate in summits with like-minded politicians, without meeting with their counterparts, has been a consistent approach of the current administration.
Read also The president is coming to Mexico, but not on a state visit
For example, during his trip to Chile, Milei did not meet with President Gabriel Boric; his arrival in Chile was limited to delivering a speech at an event organized by GasAndes, where businessman Eduardo Eurnekian, a former employer of the President, plays a prominent role.
For various reasons, Milei also did not meet with Spanish socialist President Pedro Sánchez during his two visits to Spain; did not meet with Brazilian Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva when he arrived in Camboriú to participate in a conservative summit; and did not arrange a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden despite crossing into North America five times.
This pattern—occurring at least on those five occasions—has few precedents in recent administrations, and is considered part, according to sources in the Pink House and the Chancellery, of the presidential style. An official from the Cambiemos administration stated that former President Mauricio Macri typically met with the leaders of each country he visited. “Not meeting with the authorities of that country was the exception, and it rarely happened,” the former official of the Macri administration told The Nation. Former officials from Alberto Fernández’s Kirchnerist government also noted that the now-criticized former president typically met with his counterparts during each foreign trip. “For protocol and security reasons, he was notified in advance, whether there was a bilateral meeting or not,” recalled a former official from Alberto Fernández’s administration.
“Anyone can come—whether a president, an opposition leader, or a representative of the right-wing blocs existing globally; this is a free country with no censorship or persecution, and full freedoms,” stated López Obrador this week during his daily press conference, referencing the potential arrival of Milei. Mexican diplomacy only became aware of the trip through media reports, regarding a meeting organized by former actor and singer, now right-wing leader Eduardo Verastegui, in Mexico City. The exchange of heated messages between the two presidents blocked any opportunity for a meeting, as has happened in other instances.
Read also Javier Milei’s government provides “data” to the Prosecutor’s Office investigating former President Alberto Fernández
Similar to the situation with López Obrador—who shares a good relationship with Kirchnerism and different views on solutions for Venezuela—Milei’s personal relationship with Boric did not allow him to “find a place on the agenda” of the Chilean president. “It was all very messy,” sources complained in Santiago de Chile after Boric’s office received a request for an audience just one week prior to the presidential visit.
The discord was even more apparent in Brazil. Lula da Silva is still waiting for Milei to apologize for labeling him as “communist” and “corrupt.” Lula preferred not to voice his displeasure at the beginning of July regarding Milei’s trip, which included a meeting with his rival Jair Bolsonaro in southern Brazil.
Nonetheless, after advocating for an international dialogue to find a negotiated solution between the Venezuelan government and the opposition, Lula reciprocated by meeting with Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof on Tuesday. “Each president chooses whom they will meet,” said presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni to this newspaper, moments before the photo op between the Kirchnerist governor and the Brazilian president.
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Argentine President Javier Milei Cancels Trip to Mexico: Reasons and Implications
Change of Plans: Milei’s Suspended Trip to Mexico
Despite previously confirming his attendance, Argentine President Javier Milei has abruptly changed his plans and suspended an upcoming trip to Mexico scheduled for next Friday. As reported by The Nation, this marks the fifteenth trip that Milei has called off since taking office at the Casa Rosada.
Originally, the trip to Mexico was set to last two days, during which Milei aimed to meet with local businessmen and participate in the Conservative Action Political Conference (CPAC). However, no meeting was planned with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
Official Agenda Shift and Public Reactions
Official sources have confirmed that President Milei will instead be attending an event in Rosario for the 140th anniversary of the city’s Stock Exchange. This change has prompted discussions in Argentine media regarding the reasons behind this last-minute decision.
Two main factors have been highlighted: first, a survey indicates that many Argentines are more frustrated with Milei’s continual international travels than with the gender violence allegations against former President Alberto Fernández. These allegations stem from accusations that Fernández assaulted his ex-partner, former first lady Fabiola Yanez.
Secondly, reports suggest a strained relationship between Milei and his vice president, Victoria Villarruel, who would have taken over duties in his absence. Ongoing disagreements between the two may have contributed to the decision to cancel the trip.
Milei’s Foreign Relations Strategy
Milei’s propensity to travel overseas for awards and summits without engaging with fellow leaders has become increasingly notable during his presidency. As highlighted by La Nación, this trend includes his recent visit to Chile, where he failed to meet with President Gabriel Boric, attending only a speech at GasAndes, a business where former employer Eduardo Eurnekian has prominence.
Notable International Meetings Missed
Throughout his tenure, Milei has missed several key meetings with international leaders:
- No meeting with Pedro Sánchez, President of Spain, during two visits.
- Skipped discussions with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva amidst political tensions.
- Failed to arrange a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden despite multiple crossings into North America.
Political Context and Criticism
The cancellation of Milei’s trip has drawn criticism, drawing contrasts with past administrations. Former officials from both the Cambiemos and Kirchnerist governments noted that prior presidents often prioritized meetings with their counterparts during international visits.
| President | Typical Engagement | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Mauricio Macri | Met with leaders on every visit | Consistent bilateral dialogues |
| Alberto Fernández | Scheduled pre-meeting protocols | Focused on security and protocol completeness |
| Javier Milei | Rarely engages with counterparts | Emphasis on attending summits only |
Regional Diplomacy and Future Implications
The dynamics between Milei and his fellow South American leaders have also been strained. For instance, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, refrained from scheduling a meeting due to past contentious remarks made by Milei, marking a significant diplomatic rift between Argentina and Mexico. In a recent press conference, López Obrador emphasized that anyone could visit Mexico, whether from the ruling party or opposition.
The challenges do not end in Mexico; similar diplomatic tensions are evident with Chile and Brazil, where past confrontations have clouded relationships, hampering potential engagements and dialogues that could be beneficial for Argentina.
Future Prospects
The diplomatic approach taken by President Milei will likely shape his administration’s international relationships moving forward. The lack of scheduled meetings with leaders from nations like Brazil and Spain underscores a need for a reevaluation of Argentina’s foreign policy strategy under Milei’s administration.
Maintaining a balance between representing Argentina on the global stage and managing domestic expectations will be crucial in the coming months. Observers are watching closely as Milei continues to navigate his role and the expectations that accompany it.
