Spain's government has become embroiled in a dispute with Argentinian President Javier Milei after the latter accused Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of being a "dictator" while endorsing his right-wing political rivals.
Speaking at an event in Madrid on Wednesday, Milei claimed that Spain "suffers [with socialism] under the disgraceful dictator Pedro Sanchez," and urged voters to "kick the socialists out, because you are the cradle of liberalism."
The Spanish Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning Milei's comments — made during an unofficial visit to Spain — as "insults and slander" directed at the country, its prime minister and its population.
"Spain is a sovereign nation that does not accept external interference, nor attacks or insults against its Prime Minister and its freely, democratically and sovereignly elected institutions, nor does it tolerate anyone disrupting our peaceful and democratic coexistence," the government said.
"It is disgraceful that a person holding the highest office in a sister nation should visit our country with the sole aim of attempting to foster a climate of polarization and violence amongst Spaniards and between sister nations such as Spain and Argentina."