President Javier Milei paid tribute Sunday to murdered right-wing US activist Charlie Kirk, describing him as “a martyr of freedom.”
Milei, 54, made the comments as he launched a fierce attack on “the left” in a speech delivered by pre-recorded message to a rally hosted by the Spanish far-right party Vox.
Argentina’s head of state mourned the death of Kirk, the founder of the conservative youth political group Turning Point USA who was shot in the neck last Wednesday during a speaking event on a Utah university campus.
“Unfortunately, this event was yet another graphic demonstration of what the left truly is in its pure state: hatred and resentment,” said the La Libertad Avanza leader, referring to the murder of Kirk, a close ally of US President Donald Trump.
“They took away an exemplary warrior on the battlefield of ideas. Paradoxically, this attack was perpetrated and celebrated by the very people who accuse us of being violent, when all we do is vehemently express the truth of our arguments,” said the economist.
Milei offered his condolences to the family and noted that Kirk, whom he described as a “martyr for freedom” and “an impeccably peaceful person.”
The Trump-aligned activist was recognised for “his way of confronting, through public debate, the lies of the socialists,” argued the President.
Milei sought to draw parallels with right-wing movements in other countries, noting that both Kirk, himself and other conservative leaders were branded as “ultras or extremists” by the left.
He offered his fierce backing for Vox leader and host Santiago Abascal, whom he called his “great friend.”
“We are called that because we don’t want criminals taking over our streets, we don’t want a migratory invasion, we don’t want our cities burned and destroyed, and we will not accept being shot at for saying what we think,” Milei told the audience.
Milei was meant to deliver his speech in person at the Europa Viva 25 forum in Madrid, which brought together international right-wing leaders, but he cancelled his trip in the wake of the ruling party’s defeat to the opposition in elections for the Buenos Aires Province Legislature.
The President argued his decision to remain in Argentina was due to the need to defend his government’s management “tooth and nail” in light of the new political scenario facing his administration.
– TIMES/NA/PERFIL
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