Buenos Aires, Argentina - May 7, 2024

[Note: video contains Spanish language]

Spain has decided to permanently recall its ambassador in Buenos Aires, Maria Jesus Alonso, after the controversial statements made on Sunday by the president of Argentina, Javier Milei, during his participation in the Viva24 event of the far-right political party Vox, the European country's foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, announced on Tuesday.

The official explained that Alonso "will definitely stay in Madrid".

This move comes after Albares summoned Argentina's ambassador to Spain, Roberto Bosch, on Monday morning to "demand" a public apology and to convey his "profound rejection" of Milei's statements. A meeting that took place "within the channels of respect and diplomatic courtesy", a diplomatic source told CNN.

The Spanish government's reaction comes after Milei assured on his return to Argentina on Monday in an interview with the Todo Noticias channel that he would not apologise "under any circumstances", as Spain had demanded.

When asked by the LN+ channel on Tuesday, Milei said that what is happening is "typical of a fatally arrogant socialist" and added that he said "a phrase that did not contain names" and that they are making an "absolutely senseless diplomatic escalation".

The Argentine president pointed out that "Sanchez thinks he is the state. He is not Spain and much less his wife".
"Does he think he is the state?", Milei concluded.

SHOTLIST
1. various from the Spanish Ambassador in Buenos Aires, Maria Jesus Alonso (Jul 8, 2022)
2. Various from Javier Milei in the Casa Rosada (December 12, 2023)
3. Various from Buenos Aires