Felipe VI is scheduled to meet Argentina’s new president Javier Milei this Saturday in Buenos Aires, on the eve of Milei’s inauguration as the far-right leader succeeds Peronist Alberto Fernández. The encounter will unfold at the Palacio San Martín in the early afternoon, before the Spanish monarch proceeds to the headquarters of Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then to Los Olivos, the presidential residence, to sit down with Fernández. This sequence underscores a formal welcome and a continuation of diplomatic channels between Spain and Argentina as Milei steps into office.
The King’s agenda includes witnessing the transfer of power at the Congress on Sunday, where Milei will be sworn in, followed by an inauguration ceremony at the Casa Rosada. There, Milei will deliver his first presidential address to the nation, marking a new chapter in Argentine politics. The visit also serves as a platform for reinforcing bilateral ties between Spain and Argentina during this pivotal moment.
In addition to official talks, Felipe VI will meet with representatives of the Spanish community in Argentina at the Spanish Embassy. The King will be accompanied by Juan Fernández Trigo, Spain’s minister of foreign affairs for Latin America, the Caribbean and the World, as they travel to the South American nation, arriving in Buenos Aires on Saturday morning. This visit arrives amid a broader regional context where leaders from neighboring countries are set to gather and participate in the ceremonies surrounding Milei’s rise to power.
Among the regional figures expected to join the events are Chilean President Gabriel Boric, Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña. The presence of these heads of state highlights the importance placed on Milei’s presidency by the wider Latin American community and the potential for new regional dynamics in the coming years.
The gathering will also include a notable appearance by Vox’s president Santiago Abascal, who congratulated Milei on his electoral victory and spoke of a path forward for Argentines. Abascal’s involvement signals an alignment with Milei’s political stance from segments of the European right, adding another layer to the international attention surrounding the inauguration. Milei’s victory over the Peronist candidate Sergio Massa—who enjoyed support from Spain’s government during the campaign—represents a significant shift in Argentine politics and its international relationships.
Following the election, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid issued a statement wishing success to Argentina in the new administration, emphasizing the importance of advancing mutual interests for both nations. Felipe VI’s attendance at the inauguration marks the first time a Spanish king has stood at the ceremony for an Argentine leader since the throne’s modern era began in 2014. The ceremonial precedent mirrors past exchanges when Juan Carlos I attended similar moments in 2015 during Mauricio Macri’s administration and later at Fernández’s office, reflecting long-standing diplomatic ties and the ceremonial role of the Spanish monarchy in fostering bilateral relations.