Argentina’s President Javier Milei has accused an alleged coalition of foreign actors of orchestrating an “anti-Argentina campaign” following his country’s defeat by Spain in the recent World Cup final. Speaking in a radio interview, Milei named Brazil, Mexico, and the United States’ Democratic Party as the main forces behind the purported scheme, claiming that Brazil contributed about 25 percent of the resources to this effort. He described the initiative as driven by “progressive minds” opposed to his ideology of freedom, though he did not provide evidence to substantiate these claims.
The controversy comes amid widespread criticism that surfaced on social media after the final match, with many posts condemning the Argentine team’s loss. Some commentators also accused certain Argentine fans of racist behaviour and alleged that refereeing decisions favored Argentina. However, no concrete proof has emerged indicating a state-sponsored campaign against Argentina.
Milei made these assertions during the same weekend he traveled to Brazil to endorse the presidential campaign of conservative candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, son of the former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently imprisoned. During the visit, Milei openly attacked Brazil’s incumbent left-wing president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, branding him a “thief” and “convict,” and warned Brazilian voters against electing “socialist thieves.” He also disparaged Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes—the official responsible for sentencing Jair Bolsonaro—calling him “bald trash.” Milei had intended to meet with the former president, but the Brazilian Supreme Court denied permission for the meeting.
The Argentinian leader’s comments prompted Brazil to recall its ambassador from Buenos Aires for consultations. President Lula condemned what he described as “unacceptable” foreign interference, stating that Milei’s disrespect toward Brazilian constitutional institutions would not be tolerated. He further criticized Milei’s capabilities, saying his inappropriate behaviour was consistent with previous actions demonstrating he was unfit to hold office.
In response, Milei doubled down, reiterating that the Brazilian government now decrying interference had allegedly funded the anti-Argentina World Cup campaign. This diplomatic spat has further strained relations between Argentina and Brazil, South America’s two largest economies, highlighting ongoing political tensions in the region.
Milei’s accusations reflect a familiar pattern in his political approach, wherein setbacks are attributed to a regional “woke” leftist opposition. Since assuming office in 2023, Milei has implemented radical austerity measures that have significantly reduced inflation—from an annual rate exceeding 200 percent to about 33 percent—and have brought about consecutive fiscal surpluses for the first time in nearly 20 years. June saw a monthly inflation rate of 1.9 percent, the lowest in almost a year.
Despite these macroeconomic improvements, Argentina faces challenges including a downturn in manufacturing and rising unemployment. Public support for Milei appears to be waning; recent polls indicate his approval rating has dropped to around 35 percent, with disapproval surpassing 60 percent, marking the lowest point in his presidency.