Argentine President Javier Milei returned to the public spotlight on Monday, August 17, 2026, after nine days of seclusion at the presidential residence in Olivos, to lead the ceremony marking the 176th anniversary of the death of General José de San Martín, the liberator of Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The event took place at the Monument to the Liberator in Plaza San Martín, in the upscale Buenos Aires neighborhood of Retiro. The ceremony, lasting just under 30 minutes, was packed with political gestures and a speech with a clear electoral tone.
A Hug That Speaks of Alliances
The most significant moment was the warm embrace between Milei and Buenos Aires City Mayor Jorge Macri upon his arrival at 2:47 PM. This gesture is widely interpreted as a new step in the rapprochement between La Libertad Avanza (LLA), Milei's libertarian party, and the PRO, the center-right party founded by former President Mauricio Macri. The negotiations began last Thursday with a meeting at the Casa Rosada (the presidential palace) between emissaries of Mauricio Macri (Fernando de Andreis and Cristian Ritondo) and libertarian representatives (Diego Santilli and Eduardo 'Lule' Menem).
Milei personally greeted each of his cabinet ministers, who attended almost in full, as well as several city officials. The only notable absence was presidential advisor Santiago Caputo, who did not participate, though his team member, Secretary of Legal and Technical Affairs María Ibarzábal, was present.
Speech with Enemies and Self-Criticism
In his address, lasting about ten minutes, Milei invoked the figure of San Martín to connect with his own governance. “The San Martín epic is a source of inspiration for my entire government,” he said, adding: “Today, freedom faces a new set of enemies, both external and internal.” According to sources close to his sister Karina Milei, the 'internal enemies' are the 'kukas' (a derogatory term for Kirchnerites, followers of former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner), and the 'external enemies' are 'the Lulas of the world,' referring to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
But there was also a passage of self-criticism, unusual for the president: “If freedom does not show its fruits, which are well-being and economic prosperity, citizens forget its value,” he admitted, acknowledging the difficulties of his economic plan in reaching ordinary people's pockets.
Villarruel's Presence and Ironies
Vice President Victoria Villarruel, a declared enemy of the President, was not invited to the event, but she sent a floral wreath that was placed next to the monument. A government official joked: “She always has something to say; otherwise, she gets bored,” referring to Villarruel's social media posts the previous day criticizing the lack of work and people struggling to make ends meet.
Agenda and Next Steps
After the ceremony, several LLA legislators from Buenos Aires, led by Pilar Ramírez, met at a nearby bar with national deputy Silvana Giúdici, a close ally of Security Minister Patricia Bullrich. Next week, a new meeting of the LLA-PRO negotiation table is expected.
Milei will resume his public agenda with the Council of the Americas on Thursday, August 20, and on September 15, he will present the 2027 Budget to Congress. Meanwhile, the government is advancing preparations for the visit of Pope Leo XIV to Argentina, scheduled for November.
Key Dates Ahead
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 20, 2026 | Council of the Americas meeting |
| September 15, 2026 | Presentation of 2027 Budget to Congress |
| November 2026 | Visit of Pope Leo XIV to Argentina |
This public reappearance marks a strategic move by Milei to consolidate alliances and project an image of governance, while acknowledging the economic challenges ahead. The embrace with Jorge Macri signals a pragmatic partnership aimed at securing political support for the 2027 elections, a key step for the libertarian project's continuity.