Argentine President Javier Milei returned to the public spotlight on Monday, August 17, 2026, after a ten-day absence, to lead the central ceremony for the 176th anniversary of the death of General José de San Martín, one of Argentina's most revered independence heroes. The event took place at the Monument to the Liberator in Plaza San Martín, in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Retiro. The ceremony, lasting just under half an hour, had a clear electoral tone and was marked by gestures of rapprochement between the ruling party and the PRO party.
A Speech with Electoral Nods and Criticism of Kirchnerism
In his roughly ten-minute speech, Milei invoked the figure of the national hero to justify his administration and launched barbs at the opposition. “There are some who want to return to the past we lived in,” he said, in a clear reference to Kirchnerism, the political movement led by former presidents Néstor and Cristina Kirchner. “While the majority became poorer with the previous model, a tiny minority benefited enormously,” he added.
The President also spoke of “internal and external enemies” of freedom. According to sources close to Karina Milei, the president's sister and key advisor, the “internal enemies” are the “Kukas” (a derogatory term for Kirchnerists) and the “external ones” are the “Lulas of life,” referring to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Another official spokesperson specified that the vision of “enemies of freedom” includes “journalists, Kirchnerist politicians, and businessmen.”
Milei connected San Martín's legacy with his own administration: “The San Martín epic is a source of inspiration for my entire government,” and stressed that “the enemies of freedom exist and do not rest.” He also defended the rearmament of security forces and the Armed Forces.
Partial Self-Criticism and Mention of the Economy
In an unexpected turn, the president acknowledged the difficulties of his economic plan: “If freedom does not show its fruits, which are well-being and economic prosperity, citizens forget its value.” This statement was interpreted as a partial self-criticism, while Economy Minister Luis Caputo listened from very close by.
Embrace with Jorge Macri and Gestures Toward PRO
One of the most significant moments was the effusive embrace between Milei and Buenos Aires City Mayor Jorge Macri on the red carpet before the event. This gesture comes amid negotiations between La Libertad Avanza (LLA) and PRO, which began last week with a phone call from Karina Milei to Mauricio Macri (former president and PRO founder) and a meeting on Thursday at the Casa Rosada (the Argentine presidential palace) between delegates from both political spaces.
The entire national cabinet was present, along with Buenos Aires city ministers. Notable attendees included Federico Sturzenegger, Patricia Bullrich, Sandra Pettovello, Pablo Quirno, Carlos Presti, Martín Menem, and Diego Santilli, among others. Only presidential advisor Santiago Caputo was absent.
Vice President Victoria Villarruel, a declared enemy of Milei, sent a floral wreath to the monument, which generated irony among officials. Villarruel had previously criticized the government in a social media post about the lack of work.
Political Context: Negotiations with PRO and the 2027 Elections
The event takes place at a crucial moment in the electoral setup. The ruling party seeks to eliminate PASO (Argentina's mandatory open primary elections), and PRO is negotiating conditions for an agreement. According to sources, Thursday's meeting was a “good first step” and will be repeated biweekly. Jorge Macri has already expressed his intention to seek re-election in Buenos Aires City, while within PRO there are expectations of an electoral agreement that would extend to the districts they govern.
Meanwhile, Peronism is reorganizing: Buenos Aires Governor Axel Kicillof, former Economy Minister Sergio Massa, and Máximo Kirchner (son of Cristina Kirchner) met last Tuesday and are preparing a new summit for August 19. Polls show high social discontent: according to UdeSA (Universidad de San Andrés), 61% disapprove of Milei's administration and 57% believe the country has worsened.
Presidential Agenda After the Event
Milei will resume public activity with a busy schedule: on Thursday he will participate in the Council of the Americas, on September 15 he will present the 2027 Budget, and on Tuesday he will meet with the Church to coordinate the visit of Pope Leo XIV. Additionally, the government is preparing to send humanitarian aid to Colombia, affected by an earthquake.
The tribute to San Martín, in short, was the stage chosen by Milei to return to the political arena with a message of libertarian unity and nods to a key ally ahead of 2027.