President Javier Milei’s trip to Madrid has fueled international political tensions after he called Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez a “dictator” and suggested that his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva, could attempt to “steal” his country’s presidential election on Sunday.
Milei also made hostile remarks toward a Spanish journalist who asked whether his visit, intended to show support for the far right ahead of Spain’s November 29 snap elections, had made parties in that political camp “uncomfortable.” He said such a suggestion could only come from someone who was “intellectually limited.”
The remarks add another chapter to Milei’s already strained relations with the governments of Spain and Brazil. The Argentine president has repeatedly insulted and harshly criticized Sánchez and Lula.
Speaking at a business event organized by the Nueva Economía Forum, Milei called Sánchez a “disgraceful dictator” and compared him to Argentina’s center-left Kirchnerist movement, describing both as “the fruit of the sinister 21st-century socialism.”
He also urged Spaniards to “kick socialists out” in the November elections, which will renew the country’s parliament. The newly elected lawmakers will then vote for a new national leader, potentially replacing Sánchez if his party does not secure a majority.
By contrast, Milei praised far-right leaders Santiago Abascal, of the Vox party, and Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid and a member of the Partido Popular (PP), saying they have “healthy and positive ideas” and can bring “greater well-being” to Spaniards.
Sánchez responds
Following Milei’s remarks, Sánchez posted a photo on X of his phone showing that he was listening to Fanático (Fanatic), a song by Argentine pop singer Lali Espósito written in response to Milei’s frequent criticism of her and her political views.
The song has become an anthem for many of Milei’s opponents in Argentina.
“Since I’m in the car on my way to Burgos, I’m listening to this Argentine hit. I love it!” Sánchez wrote on Wednesday.
Aprovechando que voy en el coche, camino de Burgos, para escuchar este temazo argentino.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) October 21, 2026
¡Me encanta!https://t.co/9cSwKtlIyz pic.twitter.com/1hLDty7FUF
Earlier, Sánchez released a video addressing a term Milei has used to describe him and other left-leaning leaders: zurdo, a derogatory Spanish word for a leftist.
“If increasing pensions is being zurdo, I’m zurdo, and proud of it,” he said. The Spanish Workers’ Socialist Party (PSOE, by its Spanish initials), which Sánchez leads, also put up banners outside its headquarters to welcome Milei using the same terminology: “Hi, Milei. The zurdos and zurdas welcome you to Spain.”
Sí, soy zurdo.#ZurdosYOrgullosos#ZurdasYOrgullosas pic.twitter.com/VTGKqR9Mjg
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) October 21, 2026
Milei’s visit was also met with protests from PSOE supporters and progressive sectors, who accused him of being “fascist.”
New attack against Lula
As Brazil heads toward a presidential runoff between incumbent center-left President Lula and far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro, Milei posted on X accusing Lula of being a “zurdo thief.”
“I hope his last dirty campaign trick doesn’t include stealing the election,” Milei wrote on Tuesday while flying to Madrid.
The comment, one of several attacks he has made against Lula in recent times, prompted a formal response from Brazil’s Foreign Ministry, which described the statement as “undemocratic, irrational and improper of the head of state of a friendly country.”
The ministry called it “a new and unacceptable attempt at foreign interference in the Brazilian democratic process.”
Lula’s Workers’ Party had already accused Milei of electoral interference after he insulted the Brazilian president at an event launching the candidacy of Flávio Bolsonaro, the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022) who is serving a 27 year sentence for attempting to overthrow the 2022 elections and kill Lula.
LOS PROGRES MACHIRULOS…
— Javier Milei (@JMilei) October 20, 2026
Después andan acusan de misóginos a todos sus oponentes… se les está cayendo la careta a estos delincuentes…
Espero que su último truco de campaña sucia no incluya robarse la elección… zurdo ladrón.
VLLC! https://t.co/DdeaMv3mxb
Milei in Spain
This is the Argentine president’s third international trip in the past month and his third visit to Spain this year. His agenda includes appearances at several business and right-wing events.
His only scheduled formal meeting with a local official was with Díaz Ayuso on Wednesday. The two posed for photos together and Díaz Ayuso said she was happy to welcome Milei. “Madrid is and will always be your home.”
El Presidente Javier Milei mantuvo una reunión con la Presidente de la Comunidad de Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, durante su visita a España. pic.twitter.com/kdFcVaIMWb
— Oficina del Presidente (@OPRArgentina) October 21, 2026
Earlier, the Argentine leader met Senate President Pedro Rollán and the United States and Israeli ambassadors to Spain, Benjamin León and Dana Erlich, respectively. Milei also spoke by video call with Vox leader Abascal, who was attending a campaign event in Galicia. The call took place during an unplanned meeting with Ignacio Garriga, Vox’s number two, and Jorge Martín Frías, director of Fundación Disenso, a think tank linked to the party.
“There’s nothing better than kicking leftist butts,” Milei told Abascal during the call.
Garriga shared a photo of himself hugging Milei, describing it as “an honor” to have the Argentine president at a Fundación Disenso event. He also called Milei “a friend and ally to Vox” for whom he feels “deep admiration.”
Es un honor recibir en la @FDisenso a Javier Milei, Presidente de Argentina.
— Ignacio Garriga (@Igarrigavaz) October 21, 2026
Un amigo y aliado de VOX por el que sentimos una profunda admiración. pic.twitter.com/Y4VlowDQRv
An unwanted visit?
According to several Spanish media outlets, Milei’s visit has been an unwelcome development for parts of the country’s right. Vox and PP leaders reportedly did not want to publicize their ties to him because they allegedly believe being associated with the Argentine president during an election campaign could hurt their electoral prospects.
As Milei left one of the events he attended, Julia Molina, a journalist with Spanish news outlet SER, asked whether he thought his visit had made Vox and the PP “uncomfortable.” He denied it.
“That is a kind of view held by people who are intellectually limited and politically miserable — which certainly applies in your case,” he told the reporter.
Milei has a deeply strained relationship with Argentina’s press, accusing journalists of taking part in political operations against him.
La entrada Milei attacks left-wing leaders Sánchez and Lula during Spain trip se publicó primero en Buenos Aires Herald.