President Javier Milei praised the leadership of US President Donald Trump, advocated for free-market capitalism, and criticized socialism during a notably restrained address at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday. Milei, regarded as Trump’s principal ally in Latin America, underscored his strong ties with Washington and articulated a defense of “Judeo-Christian values.” Highlighting the regional right-wing shift in the broader context, he asserted that “America will be the beacon of light that reignites the whole of the West” in the years to come. During his third appearance in Davos, Milei reflected on his 2024 warning that the West was “in danger,” and noted that in 2025 he asserted that various international organisations were advocating “a set of socialist policies, elegantly dressed up to deceive people.” Socialism, he asserted, “always ends badly, horrifically badly,” pointing to the “aberrant damage” it has inflicted in Venezuela through the “establishment of a bloody narco-dictatorship whose terrorist tentacles spread across our entire continent.” He contended that “the world has begun to wake up. The best proof of this is what is happening in America with the rebirth of the ideas of freedom. Therefore, America will be the beacon of light that reignites the whole of the West,” the president declared. Nonetheless, the speech delivered by Milei was unexpectedly subdued, especially considering his previous appearances at the forum, which garnered significant international attention due to their more provocative nature.
Milei delivered his remarks promptly following Trump’s address at the forum. In a lengthy address lasting an hour, the US president commended Venezuela’s interim government and forecasted that the nation would perform “fantastically well” in the aftermath of the assault that removed President Nicolás Maduro from power. Trump has once again stirred controversy with his candid comments regarding his interest in initiating negotiations for the “purchase” of Greenland from Denmark, while also cautioning that European nations are “failing.” In contrast, Milei offered a measured address aimed at articulating the ethical justification for “free-enterprise capitalism,” which the La Libertad Avanza leader characterized as “fair” and “efficient.” “Politicians must cease their harassment of individuals who are contributing positively to society,” Milei stated.
Argentina’s president is set to participate in a signing ceremony on Thursday that will inaugurate the “Board of Peace.” This organization was initially established by Trump to oversee the post-war reconstruction of Gaza, yet its charter does not seem to confine its scope to Palestinian territory. Milei, in a gesture towards the US president, rephrased Trump’s iconic slogan, expressing his ambition to “make Argentina great again.” Commencing his address with the assertion that “Machiavelli is dead,” Milei conveyed to the international political and economic elite assembled at the Swiss Alpine resort that “free-trade capitalism is the only fair system.” He contended that the predicament confronting the West is “the result of socialism,” once more referencing “the aberrant damage in Venezuela” and the nation’s “bloody narco-dictatorship” as a case in point.
The leader of La Libertad Avanza emphasized the efforts of the Deregulation and State Transformation Ministry, led by Federico Sturzenegger, which he informally dubbed “the Ministry of Increasing Returns.” He also acknowledged the Human Capital Ministry, under the direction of his ally Sandra Pettovello. Milei asserted that he has implemented “13,500 structural reforms” since assuming office in December 2023, contending that “regulation kills performance” and “hinders growth.” He concluded by reiterating his criticism of what he termed the “populist and impoverishing” ideas propagated by the “woke” movement and “socialist parasites. Machiavelli is deceased, and it is now appropriate to inter him. Long live freedom, damn it,” concluded Milei.