'Drug use' allegation sparks diplomatic crisis

A gaffe by Spanish Minister of Transport Oscar Puente, targeting Argentine President Javier Milei, has caused the largest diplomatic crisis between the two countries in recent years.

In a speech at an event in the city of Salamanca on May 3, Minister Puente stated, "I saw Milei on television and after what I heard, I said to myself: I don't know what substances he is using, but he is using drugs. I said it was impossible for him to win the elections, but he did."

Following these remarks, the Office of the President of Argentina issued a written statement harshly accusing Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, referencing corruption allegations involving his wife's name.

The Argentine Presidential Office claimed that Sanchez has "much more important problems to attend to, such as the corruption accusations against his wife," and stated, "For the good of the Kingdom of Spain, we hope that justice will act quickly to clarify this type of corruption scandal that directly affects the stability of your nation and, consequently, relations with our country."

'HE PUT THE MIDDLE CLASS AT RISK'

The statement further assessed, "Pedro Sanchez has put the unity of the Kingdom at risk by making deals with separatists (referring to Basque and Catalan political parties) and leading to the disintegration of Spain. He has put Spanish women at risk by allowing illegal immigration. He has put the middle class at risk with his socialist policies that only bring poverty and death. We Argentines choose to change the model that brought us misery and collapse. We hope that the Spanish people will also soon choose to live freely again."

Following this, the Spanish government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a written statement declaring that it "categorically rejects the terms used by the Office of the President of Argentina, which do not correspond to the relations between two countries and two friendly peoples." The Spanish government, which appeared to be attempting to de-escalate the crisis, announced that it "will continue to work to strengthen and protect the bonds of brotherhood with the Argentine people."