The Mystery of Milei's Nine Days in Olivos
President Javier Milei was confined to the Quinta de Olivos (the official presidential residence) for nine days without any public appearances, sparking widespread speculation about his health and mood. However, according to reports from Ámbito, a leading Argentine financial news outlet, the president was far from idle: he focused on completing his book 'Morality as State Policy' and preparing speeches for upcoming events and trips.
Journalist Eduardo Feinmann revealed on A24 that a minister told him Milei "was locked up finishing a book, had no contact with anyone, except Karina Milei, Santiago Caputo, Toto Caputo, and Sturzenegger." This version aligns with information published by Ámbito, which adds that the head of state has already started a new autobiographical book based on his passion: economics.
"He often confides to close associates that he prefers working at the Quinta de Olivos because he isn't interrupted as much and can work better."
Reappearance and Government Response
On Monday, August 17, Milei led the official ceremony for the 176th anniversary of the death of General José de San Martín—a national hero who liberated Argentina, Chile, and Peru—at Plaza San Martín in the Retiro neighborhood of Buenos Aires. His speech lasted about 10 minutes and had a strong electoral tone, criticizing "internal enemies" (the Kirchnerist movement) and "external enemies" (Brazil's Lula), with a partial self-critique on the economy: "If liberty does not show its fruits...".
Presidential spokesperson Adrián Ravier dismissed rumors about the president's health as "absurd speculation" and "regrettable operations," insisting that Milei "is very well." During Tuesday's press conference, Ravier reaffirmed the continuity of austerity measures and said the ruling party envisions being "reelected in the first round" in 2027.
Immediate Agenda
Following his reappearance, Milei's schedule is packed. Here are the upcoming key events:
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 20/08/2026 | Council of the Americas (23rd edition) | Alvear Hotel, Buenos Aires |
| 21/08/2026 | Speech at the Stock Exchange | Rosario |
| 22/09–28/09 | UN General Assembly | New York |
| 29/09–03/10 | Argentina Week | Paris |
| 14/10/2026 | Hispanic Heritage Gala (with Donald Trump) | Washington DC |
International Recognition in Paris
During Argentina Week in Paris, Milei will be honored as "Economist of the Year" alongside Nobel laureate Philippe Aghion. The two will give a joint lecture on economic growth: Aghion will discuss his book "Creative Destruction", while Milei will present his paper "Minimum Viable Scale: Extinction and Escape under Increasing Returns", co-authored with Damián Reidel.
Key Meeting with the Church
On Tuesday August 18, at 5:00 PM, the first formal meeting to coordinate Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina (scheduled for November 8–11) will take place at the Casa Rosada (the executive office building). Participants will include national officials, the Buenos Aires city government, and Church representatives, including Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva. The operation could mobilize up to 1 million people.
Political and Social Context
Milei's seclusion comes amid growing social unrest. According to a UdeSA survey, 61% disapprove of the president's performance, and 57% believe the country has worsened. Financial delinquency affects 5.3 million people, and the country risk index has surpassed 480 points.
Meanwhile, the government is negotiating a possible coalition with the PRO party for 2027. On Thursday August 13, Karina Milei met with Mauricio Macri, and a separate meeting between Santilli, Lule Menem, De Andreis, and Ritondo agreed to hold biweekly talks.