High diplomatic tensions between Colombia and Argentina rose again this Saturday as reports from Bogotá noted sharp rhetoric from Argentina’s far right president Javier Milei. He described his colleague Gustavo Petro in harsh terms, calling him a murderous communist who damaged Colombia. Milei spoke during a CNN interview with Patricia Janiot. Petro quickly replied, arguing that those who attacked him do not truly understand communism or socialism. The former M-19 member clarified that socialism means the state owning the means of production, not what we want. He insisted that production should be in the hands of the people, not the state. The exchange went beyond mere ideological disagreement between the two leaders.
Back in June 2022, Milei attacked global leftist movements as he visited Colombia, while Petro prepared for another presidential bid against the conservative Rafael Hernández. Milei urged Colombians not to let the left steal their freedom, signaling that his doctrinal crusade would be felt in Bogota. The electoral stakes were high, and a heated debate followed.
Last November Petro urged Argentinians to vote against Milei, warning that Milei’s victory could bring back a period of barbarism the country had seen decades earlier. Petro urged support for Sergio Massa and framed the moment as a test for the region.
Days earlier the two presidents had met in Davos, entering the dialogue with pointed political messages. A recent report noted that the exchanges underscored a sharp difference in how each side framed the other.
a rhetorical style
Milei has repeatedly singled out Petro as a focal point of his provocative rhetorical approach, a style he has also directed toward Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and other leaders. Even the Vatican visit planned for February 12 was framed within this broader pattern. Milei faces scrutiny for how his words are received and how they shape regional diplomacy. Critics point to past labels used by Milei and others during earlier campaigns as part of a broader trend of aggressive political discourse.
These remarks carried diplomatic weight as Nariño Palace summoned the Colombian ambassador for consultations. The State Department expressed concerns about the potential harm to long standing ties between Colombia and Argentina, stressing the importance of mutual respect in diplomatic exchanges.
Public commentary circulated on social media in the form of a brief posted message from the Senate. The message reflected a moment of diplomatic seriousness and highlighted the unexpected impact of heated public rhetoric on bilateral relations.
The Colombian Foreign Ministry rejected Milei’s statements, describing them as an attack on the honor of the democratically elected president. Officials asserted that Milei’s words had no basis and violated the long standing friendship and cooperation between the two nations. A chorus of political leaders in Colombia called for restraint and emphasized that regional unity should prevail over personal disputes.
Even as lawmakers weighed in, the regional leadership remained focused on consensus. The president of the Senate and other figures stressed that differences in opinion must not undermine the shared history and common interests that bind Colombia and Argentina. The region has a tradition of enduring ties even amid sharp political disagreements, and leaders urged a return to constructive dialogue.
other background
Beyond the headlines, Milei has floated significant policy moves such as an omnibus measure aimed at eliminating free tuition. The proposal would affect a limited number of students in nearby countries, a point that Petro criticized as part of a broader critique of neoliberal approaches. Petro argued that the current moment demands solutions that address urgent social needs rather than doctrinaire moves that merely shift the landscape for education. The exchange thus touched on wider debates about how Latin American countries should balance public goods and market mechanisms in higher education.