Spain's government has become embroiled in a dispute with Argentinian President Javier Milei after the latter accused Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of being a "dictator" while endorsing his right-wing political rivals.
Speaking at an event in Madrid on Wednesday, Milei claimed that Spain "suffers [with socialism] under the disgraceful dictator Pedro Sanchez," and urged voters to "kick the socialists out, because you are the cradle of liberalism."
The Spanish Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning Milei's comments — made during an unofficial visit to Spain — as "insults and slander" directed at the country, its prime minister and its population.
"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 government said.
"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."
Milei's unofficial visit to the Spanish capital on Wednesday comes as Spain gears up for a general election on Nov. 29.
Sanchez is the leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party and has been Spain's prime minister since 2018.
On Oct. 5, Sanchez called an early election after lawmakers voted against housing reforms drawn up in the wake of nationwide protests over Spain's housing crisis.
He is running to win a third term in the Nov. 29 snap election — but polls point to a right-wing coalition between the conservative People's Party and far-right Vox being the most likely outcome.
The Spanish prime minister has already faced off against Milei, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, in the past. Madrid withdrew its ambassador from Buenos Aires for several months in 2024 after Milei called Sanchez's wife "corrupt" and went on to aim a barrage of insults at Sanchez. Milei publicly criticized Sanchez's government again in June 2025 and September 2026.
Milei himself is facing an election in 2027, when he will fight to defend his position against a backdrop of mounting debt problems and a sluggish economy.
Sanchez defended his political agenda in a video posted to social media on Wednesday.
"Some people think they're insulting us when they call us left-wing," he told followers. "Well, let me tell you something: if raising pensions makes me a left-winger, then I'm a left-winger. If giving mothers and fathers more time to enjoy their children makes me left-wing, then I'm left-wing too. If raising the minimum wage every year is a left-wing thing, then I'm left-wing. If defending women's right to abortion makes me left-wing, I am. If standing against war and supporting peace makes me left-wing, I am. So yes, I'm a leftie — and proud of it."
Sanchez has also locked horns with Trump this year, with the U.S. president threatening to cut off trade and relations with Spain after the pair traded criticisms over the U.S.-Iran war and defense spending.
