Spain demands apology from Argentina’s Milei for ‘corrupt’ comment against PM Sanchez’s wife

Spain on Monday (May 20) demanded a "public apology" from President Javier Milei after the Argentina leader called Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife "corrupt."

The comment, which has led to an escalation of a diplomatic crisis between the two nations, has also led to Spain recalling its ambassador from Buenos Aires.

Demand'public apology' from Milei

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, as per AFP, has said that he would summon the Argentine ambassador "to explain to him the gravity of the situation, and I am going to demand again a public apology by Javier Milei."

Albares did not rule out the possibility of severing diplomatic ties if the apology was not forthcoming.

"We clearly do not want to take these measures but if there is no public apology, we will do it," he warned.

Unworthy of 'fraternal bonds'

Emphasising that the remarks did not reflect the sentiments of the Argentine people, Prime Minister Sanchez has condemned Milei's comments. Describing him as unworthy of the countries' "fraternal bonds," he said, "I am fully aware that the person who spoke yesterday did not do so in the name of the great Argentine people."

Sanchez has also demanded a "rectification" of Milei's comments.

However, Milei showed no remorse. On the social media platform X, he posted, "The lion is back and surfing on the waves of the socialist tears. Long live liberty."

Argentina's Interior Minister Guillermo Francos supported Milei's stance, suggesting the Spanish government owed an apology.

"I think, on the contrary, it is for the Spanish government to make an apology for what has been said about Milei," he told the TN television channel.

The controversy began at a Madrid conference organized by Spain's far-right Vox party, where Milei attacked socialism and criticised Sanchez's wife, Begona Gomez, indirectly referring to her as corrupt.

"The global elites don't realise how destructive it can be to implement the ideas of socialism," he said, adding "They don't know the type of society and country that can produce, the type of people clinging to power and the level of abuse that generates."

"When you have a corrupt wife, let's say, it gets dirty, and you take five days to think about it."

(With inputs from agencies)