Javier Milei: Argentina's new president a fan of Margaret Thatcher but wants Falklands back
Javier Milei, a far-right outsider, has recently won Argentina's Presidential election.
Nicknamed 'El Loco', or 'Crazy' in English, describes himself as an anarcho-capitalist and has made many headlines across the world for his election win, but it is views on Margaret Thatcher that may come as a surprise.
Mrs Thatcher was Prime Minister when she decided to go to war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands.
She is still condemned in Buenos Aires for sinking the General Belgrano - which killed 323 people on board.
But Argentina's new president described Mrs Thatcher as one of "the great leaders in the history of humanity" in a speech before his final election debate.
When asked if Mrs Thatcher was his idol by another candidate, Mr Milei said: "Thatcher had a significant role in the fall of the Berlin Wall and it seems that its fall and the crushing of the left bothers you. That's your problem."
He also compared the Falklands War and Thatcher to French footballer Kylian Mbappe, who last year scored three goals against Argentina in the World Cup final, which drew condemnation from those who fought in the war.
Mr Milei's stance on the Falkland Islands and Britain seems to be less hostile than his predeccesor, who wanted immediate negotions to end a "anachronistic colonial situation" on the island.
He has, however, asserted his country's "non negotiable" sovereignty over the islands.
"We had a war – that we lost – and now we have to make every effort to recover the islands through diplomatic channels," he said in his final TV election debate.
El Loco's position, perhaps not fitting with his name, is that any transfer of power should be peaceful, with it being more pressing for Argentina to fix its economy.
Diania Mondino, a close advisor of Mr Milei also said in September that the population of the Falkland Islands, who voted 99.8% to remain part of Britain in 2013, should have a say in their sovereignty and should not be "disrespected".
"It may take many years but you cannot force on other people any decisions," she said.
"Not on Argentinians, not on anyone. You cannot force decisions any more. That has to stop."
Mr Milei compared the Falkland Islands to Hong Kong, "proposing... to move towards a solution like the one England had with China" over the island.
He added Argentina would have to negotiate with the UK, consider the islanders and find "a solution that is viable, that is achievable".
Join Our Newsletter
