Disappointment at the Casa Rosada after President Javier Milei’s whirlwind visit to the United States failed to produce a much-anticipated meeting with Donald Trump.
Milei’s visit, which had generated high expectations, ultimately fell short of securing the desired encounter between the two leaders.
Although the plan was for both heads of state to cross paths informally at the American Patriot Gala, organised by John Rourke of Make America Clean Again (MACA) organisation, Milei’s entourage says that the US Republican leader had to withdraw due to a “technical issue” affecting a helicopter he frequently uses.
According to reports, Trump had a tight schedule on Wednesday, April 3, including participation in a major three-day golf tournament. His security team reportedly detected an issue with one of the helicopter’s wheels, delaying his departure and, consequently, his arrival.
Milei participated in the event and was given an award. Upon learning of the setback, the delegation accompanying President Milei — including Presidential Chief-of-Staff General Karina Milei and Economy Minister Luis Caputo — decided to leave the venue.
Event organisers claimed that Trump was present, but sources with access to Milei’s office insists that the US leader was not there and only arrived at Mar-a-Lago after 11pm.
The flight carrying the Argentine delegation departed from Miami Airport at 12.39am and landed in Buenos Aires this morning. Milei arrived without his much-coveted photograph.
With Argentina’s negotiations over a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) into final stages, a potential informal meeting between Trump and Milei had gained significant importance.
Technical teams are now awaiting confirmation of the agreement’s details. Those remain in the hands of the IMF board, where the United States has a key role.
US media outlets corroborated the reported technical fault for Trump’s Marine One helicopter. They also stated that Trump used another aircraft that took off at 5.19pm and landed at the ceremony before 10pm.
According to the Noticias Argentinas news agency, Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein was responsible for planning the President’s swift visit to Florida, which in the end was reduced to a single event and the “Lion for Liberty” award given to Milei at the American Patriot gala.
For weeks now, figures in Milei’s inner circle has been debating the necessity of the President’s express trips overseas, assessing whether such long-distance travel is warranted for the sake of receiving awards.
Discontent with the foreign minister is evident. The failed meeting is another blow to the Executive branch — just hours after the Senate rejected the nominations of Ariel Lijo and Manuel García Mansilla to the Supreme Court.
Officials within the Casa Rosada insist that the much-anticipated meeting had “never been confirmed.” They remain hopeful that Milei may be invited to an official audience at the White House in May. “As it should be,” remarked one senior official.
Before heading to Florida, Milei himself had played down the meeting with Trump, stating that it would depend on the Republican leader’s schedule.
by Sofia Rojas, Noticias Argentinas
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