CHILE · DIPLOMACY
Key Facts
- —What is happening On Friday, 16 October, Chile’s President José Antonio Kast said Housing Minister Iván Poduje had apologised publicly for calling Argentina’s President Javier Milei “increasingly crazy”, and that “this will not be repeated.”
- —Why it matters Argentina is Chile’s eastern neighbour, so an insult to its president from a Chilean cabinet minister drew criticism from Kast’s own conservative allies and put pressure on ties between the two governments.
- —The numbers No money is involved: the dispute rests on one remark, one public apology posted on X, and three conservative Chilean legislators who criticised the minister before the apology.
- —Who is who Kast is Chile’s president, Poduje heads the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism, Milei is Argentina’s president, and Vice President Claudio Alvarado ran the government while Kast was in Bolivia.
- —What to watch Whether Milei or Argentina’s government responds, which no report reviewed describes, and whether the Chilean government’s position that the matter is closed holds in the coming days.
- —Power Index Chile ranks 3rd of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 63.6 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you For US readers this is a diplomatic spat, not a policy change, because neither government has announced a trade, border or security measure and no effect on markets or travel has emerged.
Chile’s president says his housing minister apologised publicly after calling Argentina’s president increasingly crazy. The government regards the matter as closed, and no Argentine reaction has been reported.
Chile’s President Kast said on Friday, 16 October, that Housing Minister Iván Poduje apologised over Milei’s remark, which the government regrets. Kast, speaking in La Paz, Bolivia, added that “this will not be repeated.”
Poduje had said earlier that day that Argentina’s President Javier Milei is “increasingly crazy”, according to La Tercera, BioBioChile, Emol and T13. None of the reports reviewed carries a reaction from Argentina’s government.
What Poduje Said at the Icare Forum
Poduje spoke on Friday morning at “Conoce a tu ministro”, a forum run by Icare, a Chilean business management institute. He was defending public investment in infrastructure, Emol and T13 reported.
He praised the governments of Eduardo Frei, Ricardo Lagos and the first half of Michelle Bachelet’s term for their public works. He called Milei’s criticism of public works “the foolishness that Milei commits”.
He then said Milei is “cada vez más loco, a todo esto”, or increasingly crazy, by the way. He added that Argentina may have much corruption, but that this is no reason to suspend a concessions programme.
Why Poduje Apologised Over Milei’s Remark
Poduje posted an apology on X later on Friday, T13 and Emol reported. He wrote that he had made “comments that are not appropriate” about Argentina’s president and offered “sincere excuses”.
BioBioChile reported that the apology followed criticism from conservative sectors, which warned about the effect on relations with Argentina. Hans Marowski, a deputy and vice president of the Partido Nacional Libertario, said personal insults add nothing.
Senator Iván Moreira of the UDI, a conservative party, called the remarks “very imprudent”. He warned that excesses end up harming Kast, BioBioChile reported.
Paulina Muñoz, a libertarian deputy whip, aimed her criticism at Kast rather than Poduje. She said that if he likes to appoint left-wing ministers to key posts, he should make them align.
What Kast Said From Bolivia
Kast spoke at a press point at the Chilean consulate in La Paz during his visit to Bolivia, BioBioChile reported. He said the government regrets the expressions.
He said Poduje “apologised as is proper, public apologies, and this will not be repeated”, according to La Tercera. Asked whether he had spoken to Poduje, he repeated that line and ended the briefing.
Kast was also asked whether a call from Argentina prompted the apology. La Tercera records no clear answer to that question.
He noted that Vice President Claudio Alvarado was running the government in Chile while he was abroad. The trip included five agreements with Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, which are covered in a separate report.
Alvarado Says the Government Considers the Matter Closed
Alvarado said Poduje’s remarks “do not correspond”, but that the minister corrected them and apologised, so the matter is closed. Emol and T13 reported his comments on Friday.
Asked whether Argentina had complained, Alvarado said that was a subject he would keep to himself, T13 reported. No report reviewed describes any Argentine complaint.
Chile and Argentina Ties in Context
Kast and Milei have met before: Milei was in Santiago in September for the Madrid Forum, where he met Kast. That meeting was their fourth in under a year, and no agreements were announced.
La Nación of Buenos Aires linked the remark to recent tension over the Strait of Magellan and a planned Falklands ship voyage. Those details come from that outlet alone and are not confirmed here.
An explainer sets out what is known about the Poduje and Milei diplomatic row. A second report looks at relations between Chile and Argentina after the apology.
What It Means for US Readers
For US readers this is a diplomatic episode, not a change of policy. Neither government has announced a trade, border or security measure.
Kast, a conservative, and Milei, a libertarian, lead the two governments. No effect on markets or travel has been reported.
US readers can follow whether Buenos Aires answers and whether further comments by Chilean ministers reopen the dispute. The Chilean government says it will not.
What Is Not Known
It is not known whether Milei or Argentina’s government has responded, because none of the reports reviewed carries a reaction. Nor is it clear whether Argentina asked for the apology, since neither Kast nor Alvarado answered that question.
Poduje’s own post on X could not be opened here, so his words are quoted as T13 and La Nación reproduce them. Kast’s wording differs slightly between outlets, and the Chilean presidency’s own transcript was not reviewed.
What Comes Next
The Chilean government says the case is closed, so no further step is scheduled on its side. Any reply from Buenos Aires, or a repeat of the remark, would reopen it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Iván Poduje?
Poduje is Chile’s Minister of Housing and Urbanism in President Kast’s cabinet. He made the remark at an Icare business forum on Friday, 16 October.
What did Poduje say about Milei?
He said Argentina’s president is “cada vez más loco”, or increasingly crazy, while defending public works. He also called Milei’s criticism of public works foolish.
Did Poduje apologise to Milei?
Poduje apologised publicly in a post on X, offering “sincere excuses” for comments about Argentina’s president. The reports reviewed do not say he contacted Milei directly.
What did Kast say about it?
Speaking in La Paz, Kast said the government regrets the expressions and that Poduje apologised publicly. He said “this will not be repeated”.
Has Argentina responded?
None of the Chilean and Argentine reports reviewed carries a response from Milei or Argentina’s government. Alvarado declined to say whether Argentina had complained.
Sources: La Tercera, Kast on Poduje; BioBioChile, Kast from Bolivia; BioBioChile, criticism from the right; Emol, Kast and Poduje; Emol, Poduje at Icare; T13, Poduje apology; La Nación, Argentina (all accessed 17 October 2026).