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Argentina\u2019s far-right President Javier Milei called Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez a \u201cdictator\u201d in a visit to Madrid on Wednesday, urging voters to oust the Socialist leader in upcoming elections.<\/strong><\/p>\n It was yet another barb by Milei against his nemesis, which drew condemnation of \u201cexternal interference, attacks and insults\u201d from the Spanish government.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are suffering under the disgraceful dictator Pedro Sanchez,\u201d Milei said at an economic forum in the Spanish capital, adding: \u201cKick the Socialists out, because you are the cradle of liberalism.\u201d<\/p>\n Sanchez has emerged as a global progressive star, notably for his clashes with US President Donald Trump and Israel, but his eight-year premiership is in peril ahead of the November 29 general election.<\/p>\n The main opposition conservative Popular Party (PP) is predicted to win the most seats but without obtaining a majority, potentially giving far-right Vox the decisive say in forming the next government.<\/p>\n Milei also referred to Sanchez as a \u201cthief\u201d and \u201ccorrupt\u201d, as the Spanish leader grapples with graft probes that have affected relatives and ex-Socialist heavyweights.<\/p>\n Sanchez has consistently defended the probity of his government and the source of his party\u2019s funding.<\/p>\n The Spanish foreign ministry slammed Milei for his \u201cexternal interference, attacks and insults\u201d against Sanchez and his \u201ccall for the use of violence\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is shameful that a person who holds the highest office of a sister nation makes visits to our country with the only aim of trying to foster a climate of polarisation and violence,\u201d the ministry said in a statement.<\/p>\n The Socialists have used Milei in campaigning to rally left-wing voters against what they call a \u201creactionary international\u201d, including the Argentine leader\u2019s swingeing cuts to public spending, symbolised by a chainsaw.<\/p>\n Sanchez took pride from Milei\u2019s latest attack during a campaign rally in the northern city of Burgos on Wednesday, contrasting Spain\u2019s strong economic growth and social measures with cuts in Argentina.<\/p>\n \u201cThe chainsaws and cuts that the right and the far right always make when they govern build nothing, rather they destroy\u2026 They don\u2019t make our country or our economy grow, they sink them,\u201d Sanchez said.<\/p>\n Milei did not meet Sanchez during his visit \u2014 the latest of several unofficial trips to Spain which he has used to attack its leftist government and rally with the right-wing opposition.<\/p>\n The self-described \u201canarcho-capitalist\u201d instead saw\u00a0figures from Vox as well as Isabel Diaz Ayuso, the PP leader of the Madrid region who is an acerbic critic of Sanchez.<\/p>\n Milei hailed Vox\u2019s leader Santiago Abascal and Ayuso as \u201cfriends\u201d during his speech in Madrid, saying \u201cthey have sound, positive ideas for pulling Spain out of its decline\u201d.<\/p>\n The firebrand libertarian also held a video call with Abascal during which they joked about the insults against Sanchez and the reaction, according to footage posted to social media.<\/p>\n In 2024, a diplomatic crisis erupted after Milei called Sanchez\u2019s wife Begona Gomez \u201ccorrupt\u201d, prompting Madrid to recall its ambassador to Argentina for months.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nDiplomatic crisis<\/h2>\n