Milei back in Spain for possible new Sanchez showdown

Argentine President Javier Milei is set to return to Madrid for an international summit this Wednesday, igniting fresh tensions with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Milei, a far-right leader, has never met Sanchez during his three years in office, but has urged Spain to oust the Socialist prime minister in the upcoming November 29th election.

Other notable right-wing attendees at the two-day Ibero-American Summit include Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast and Bolivia's Rodrigo Paz. The Ibero-American Community, comprising Spanish and Portuguese-speaking nations, aims to revive its influence in a year marked by right-wing electoral victories across Latin America. The summit, hosted by Sanchez, will see seven Latin American presidents in attendance, highlighting the shift in regional politics.

The recent high-speed train collision in Spain, which claimed 69 lives, adds another layer of awkwardness to the summit. While Milei is not expected to meet Sanchez privately or see King Felipe VI, the diplomatic climate is tense, with Sanchez already facing criticism for Argentina's economic policies. The summit will focus on cooperation on disasters and civil protection, as well as artificial intelligence, particularly relevant given recent natural disasters in Colombia and Venezuela.