Argentina’s president calls his Colombian counterpart a ‘terrorist’, ‘assassin’ and ‘communist’, prompting a diplomatic spat.
Colombia has ordered the expulsion of Argentinian diplomats to the Andean nation, with the Colombian overseas ministry citing “denigrating” feedback by Argentinian President Javier Milei about Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
In a press release printed on Wednesday, the ministry mentioned “the Argentinian president’s feedback have deteriorated the belief of our nation, along with offending the dignity of President Petro, who was democratically elected”.
Milei known as Petro a “terrorist”, “assassin” and “communist” in a latest interview with the CNN broadcaster, which has not but been aired in full.
Libertarian Milei additionally took swipes at different regional leaders in clips of the interview, together with Mexico’s Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
Colombia’s overseas ministry didn’t specify what number of diplomats can be expelled from the Bogota embassy however mentioned the expulsion can be communicated to Argentina by way of “diplomatic channels”.
In January, Colombia recalled its ambassador to Argentina after comparable feedback from Milei tagged Gustavo a “murderous communist who’s sinking Colombia”.
Petro, Colombia’s first left-wing president, is a former member of the long-demobilised M-19 insurgent motion. Milei was referring to Petro’s armed group previous within the CNN interview.
Relations between Colombia and Argentina have been traditionally secure, however have been deteriorating since Milei was elected to workplace final November in a shock vote after he had promised motion on radical guarantees like abolishing the central financial institution and severely slashing public spending.
The 53-year-old’s abrasive model of politics has drawn comparisons with former US President Donald Trump. As a candidate, he revealed conservative positions on social points, opposing abortion and intercourse training, and railed in opposition to political correctness.
Milei additionally equated socialists with “human excrement” whereas talking on native media stations.
Petro on the time in contrast the remarks with these of Nazi chief Adolf Hitler and described Milei’s election victory as a “unhappy second for Latin America”.
Milei got here to energy amid an financial disaster in Argentina with inflation working at greater than 200 p.c every year and poverty affecting greater than 40 p.c of the inhabitants.