For some time now, a rather particular phenomenon has been happening in Latin America. Governments are emerging inspired by the “Donald Trump” phenomenon, which are headed by extreme right populist leaders, staunch defenders of the free model market, that is, governments that adopt political and economic measures that are aimed at harming all social sectors, especially the most disadvantaged. This is the case in Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina. This article will analyze, in a broad way, what is happening in the trans-Andean country, after Javier Milei was elected president of Argentina. Much has been said about this person, but little is known about their philosophical approaches, and much less is known about their personality.
Who is Javier Gerardo Milei? He was born in Buenos Aires on October 22, 1970, to a modest family. His father was a bus driver and his mother was a housewife. Milei’s life is marked by domestic violence, so much so, that to this day, he does not speak to his parents due to the abuse suffered during his childhood. This information is relevant because it helps to understand his temperament, which permeates all areas of his life, especially his politics.
Javier Milei has a degree and two masters obtained in universities of his country. In addition, he has served for more than 20 years as a professor of economics in various Argentinian universities and abroad.
Milei became a public figure through his frequent appearances in the media, where he was invited to discuss topics related to the Argentinian economy. His aggressive behavior, messianic speech, and impulsive and provocative character, Milei projected himself to citizens as a politician who was different from what he called the “traditional political caste”.
In 2021, Milei was elected federal deputy for his party “La Libertad Avanza”. In 2023 he launched his presidential candidacy to the astonishment of many since Milei, then deputy, lacked experience in public administration.
During the presidential campaign, Javier Milei defended a series of ultra-conservative proposals including the closure of the Central Bank of Argentina, dollarization of the economy, the drastic reduction of public spending, mass dismissal of public employees, and privatization of state companies, among others.
As for foreign policy, Milei proposed an “unconditional” alignment to United States policies regarding Latin America. He also expressed his interest in distancing himself from China and Russia, considering them communist countries. Similarly, he promised to do the same with several governments of the region, including Cuba, Colombia, and Venezuela. Additionally, he promised to stop the process of obtaining Argentina’s membership in BRICS (an acronym for member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). This Organization defends the construction of a fair, multipolar world.
To the surprise of many, on November 19 of the same year, in the second round, Javier Milei was elected president with 55.65% of the votes. Thus increasing the group of ultra-right presidents in Latin America.
Several reasons explain Milei’s electoral triumph. First, the economic situation in Argentina has been tumultuous during the last decades; galloping inflation; increase in poverty levels; corruption, and deterioration decreased the quality of life of Argentinians. This situation created great discontent in the Argentinian people Milei promised to solve all the problems promptly. Argentinians decided to give him a chance. The second reason is that the center-right sectors, traditionally more moderate, decided to support Milei as revenge towards the last Peronist governments, that is, those of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Alberto Fernández. Lastly, the young people voted for Milei as a protest against the Argentine political system, which according to them, was a system that no longer worked.
The Argentinian government has tried to pass two bills to implement campaign promises. These “Omníbus” laws were submitted to the Congress of Deputies and sent back to the commissions, but due to technical issues they were automatically rejected, and the Senate also rejected the DNU (decree of necessity and urgency). Currently, a reduced version of the bill, “Bases and starting points for the freedom of Argentinians ”, is being worked on. It is a similar legislative project to previous ones, only that it includes the approval of almost a third of the laws included in the original package. All these bills seek to reform of the State, which includes incentives to large investors, and the modification of the laws of hydrocarbons and natural gas for the development of “strategic projects”. This legislative package includes the privatization of some state companies such as Airlines Argentinas, Argentine Correos, Radio and Televisión Public and the Bank of the Nation, among others. On the other hand, in fiscal matters, it proposes a reduction of taxes to the richest, from 2.25% to 0.25%. These reductions would be implemented gradually until 2027.
Argentina, in the second semester of 2023, had a poverty index of 41.7%. This past week, on the national television network, the president was surprised by the speed of economic adjustments that have given positive results, highlighting a surplus of the GDP of 0.2%. What Milei did not mention, is that more than 7 million Argentinians have been added to the poverty ranks during the first months of the mandate.
Since the beginning of the Milei government, there have been demonstrations by the different trade and community organizations opposing the government’s economic and political projects. Protests have even called for a general strike. In recent days, a mass demonstration for free education took place showing the increasing public discontent. It is important to follow up the actions of the union and civic organizations in their attempt to stop the governmental package of laws.
Another important aspect to highlight is the new role the Argentinian government is playing on the geopolitical level, in the region. In recent years, it is increasing in presence, both in the United States and in Latin America. Proof of this was the head of the South Command, Laura Richardson’s visit to the South American country. This is no accident since the US government needs to stop strategic the advances China is making in the region. China has narrow commercial ties with the vast majority of Latin American countries and Argentina is not the exception. Between 2012 and 2014, China and Argentina, under the government of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner signed an agreement for China to build a satellite monitoring base of Support to the Chinese Exploration Program of the Moon in the province of Neuquén. The government of The United States is pressing the Milei government to inspect the facilities since American intelligence services suspect that the Chinese base can be used for military purposes.
The United States will use any government with ultra-right values to generate a process of destabilization in the region; a historical practice of the North American power in Latin America for many decades. As a result of this pressure, the Argentinian government is giving land in the Ushuaia region, to the south of the country, to the United States so they can build a “scientific research” base. In addition, the Argentinian president has just requested his entry to NATO, as a “Global Member”. So far there is no clarity about what this type of membership means but it is known that in the ideological universe of Milei, anything is possible. Besides, Milei has given all his support to Israel and has justified, without any exception, the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli-Zionist government of the Palestinian people. The Argentinian ruler has qualified the genocidal military operation as “appropriate measures to defend the security of Israel”.
As can be seen, the facts speak for themselves. You can expect Argentinians to take action to stop these toxic policies, and to be able to wake up and find a sane path for a solution to the great problems that their nation has faced for many decades.
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