Colombia expels Argentine diplomats over Milei's CNN remarks
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In the aftermath of a CNN interview in which the Argentine President referred to his Colombian counterpart as a "terrorist murderer", the Colombian government has decided to expel all Argentine diplomats.
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Argentine President Javier Milei after winning the presidential runoff election in Buenos Aires, on November 19, 2023 (AP)
Following a CNN interview where the Argentine President labeled his Colombian counterpart a "terrorist murderer", the Colombian government instructed the expulsion of all Argentine diplomats from its embassy in Bogota.
In a statement, the Colombian Foreign Ministry said, “The Argentine president’s expressions have deteriorated the trust of our nation and offended the dignity of President (Gustavo) Petro, who was elected democratically.”
Argentina's newly appointed ultra-right president, Javier Milei, made the remarks during a comprehensive interview with Andres Oppenheimer of CNN en Español and the Miami Herald.
The interview, scheduled to broadcast at 9 pm Eastern Time this Sunday, covered topics ranging from the leader's stalled economic austerity plan to his unwavering backing of "Israel" amid international criticism regarding its ongoing genocidal war against Gaza.
Regarding Petro, a former guerilla who secured Colombia's first left-wing presidency after winning the 2022 election, Milei remarked, "You can't expect much from someone who was a terrorist murderer."
This comes shortly after Petro warned in an X post that his country will sever diplomatic relations with "Israel" if it does not abide by the United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the holy month of Ramadan.
Military cooperation between Colombia and "Israel" was suspended last October, and shortly after that, Bogota expelled the Israeli envoy due to his criticism of Petro for supporting Gaza and Palestine. Later in November, Colombia recalled its ambassador to "Israel". Additionally, following the Israeli Flour Massacre against Palestinians gathering to collect aid in February, Petro halted all military purchases from the occupation entity. His position grew more vocal after South Africa submitted a genocide lawsuit against "Israel" to the ICJ.
In the interview, Milei, a former television commentator known for his outspokenness, also targeted Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, labeling him as "ignorant".
López Obrador, a left-wing populist, has previously criticized Milei's policies and likened him to a "dictator". Responding on Thursday via social media, López Obrador questioned why Argentinians “voted for someone who is not right, who despises the people.”
'Argentina’s allies are the United States and Israel'
During the extensive interview conducted in Buenos Aires, Milei offered a staunch defense of the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza, claiming it is “within the rule of law.”
Milei recounted a warmly received meeting with Israeli occupation's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in February, highlighting it as one of his most positive encounters since assuming office.
Furthermore, he disclosed his private preference for former President Donald Trump's victory in the upcoming US election yet affirmed his commitment to maintain friendly relations with the United States, irrespective of the occupant of the White House next year.
In a tongue-in-cheek tone, Milei emphasized Argentina's allegiance to the United States and "Israel", suggesting a nuanced alignment with the Republican Party while affirming a robust relationship with the Democrats.
“Argentina’s allies are the United States and Israel; it’s not a secret my ideas are more akin to those of the Republican party, but we have an excellent relationship with the Democrats too,” Milei told Oppenheimer.
'A fraudulent mechanism'
Elsewhere in his remarks, Milei reiterated his plan to close down Argentina's central bank, denouncing it as a "fraudulent mechanism". He argued that central banks are a relatively modern creation, with Argentina's established in 1925, and suggested that the country thrived before its existence, although he did not specify who would oversee fiscal policy in its absence.
Despite facing obstacles in Argentina's Congress, Milei affirmed his government's commitment to shuttering the central bank within three years, a key pledge of his campaign aimed at addressing the country's economic challenges.
During the interview, Milei claimed his government's perceived success in combating hyperinflation and achieving a fiscal surplus since taking office in December.
