Highlights of Hispanic Inaugural Ball, celebrating the impact of Hispanics in the US two days before Trump's inauguration

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, also spoke at the Hispanic Inaugural Ball and highlighted the positive impact of the Hispanic community on the country, also thanking the historic support his family has received from this demographic group.

"The Hispanic community works harder than any other demographic group in our country," said RFK Jr., who began his speech by speaking in Spanish. "They bring huge economic benefits to the United States of America, to all of us. And yet they are one of the sickest demographic groups in our country, suffering higher levels of diabetes, asthma, and obesity than any other group."

RFK Jr. then urged Hispanics to take care of their health: "We need to make America healthy again. If you're a sick person, if you're a well person, you have the American dream at your feet. You have a thousand different dreams, but if you're sick, you only have one dream, and that's to get better."

Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, of Colombian descent, took the stage and stated that Hispanics have the ability to achieve anything they set their minds to in the United States, including being elected as senators.

"We don't want any more of this discrimination. We need people to come here to pick our crops, clean our homes, and mow our lawns. Because you know what? That's not what Hispanics can do," said Moreno. "Hispanics can do anything we want to do. Some of us can even become United States Senators."

"And in four years, America will understand the positive impact of the Hispanic community," continued the Ohio senator. "And we're going to build an alliance between a free, prosperous South America and a strong, free, and prosperous United States of America. That is President Trump's vision. That's what we're going to achieve in the next four years. And it will be the Hispanic community that makes that happen. Are you with me? Now, I am so proud to be the first South American-born senator. Because we know that Colombians are 'berracos.' Thank you."

The Paraguayan President, Santiago Peña, one of the international guests at the Hispanic Inaugural Ball, delivered a brief speech during the gala in which he highlighted the challenging historical process his country endured after the War of the Triple Alliance. During that conflict, Paraguay saw most of its male population decimated at the hands of Brazilian, Argentine, and Uruguayan troops in the 19th century.

"Paraguay has a deep commitment to freedom, democracy, and the defense of such fundamental principles. It is a country that has probably experienced one of the greatest tragedies in the history of the Americas—a war 150 years ago that wiped out 90 percent of the male population in my country," Peña stated, adding that the Western Hemisphere is witnessing an exciting moment with President Trump’s victory.

"When there were no adults left, children went to war, and it was those children who, along with our women, rebuilt the country. That’s why Paraguay today has the youngest population in the region (...). A young population that truly wants to progress and defend the principles of freedom," Peña remarked. "We are committed to this fight. This is a great moment, not only for the United States under the presidency of Donald Trump but also for the entire Western Hemisphere, for the Americas, and for the whole world."

Argentine President Javier Milei was introduced by Vivek Ramaswamy just before receiving the "Titan of Economic Reform" recognition, delivered by Latin Wall Street 2025 due to the libertarian leader's outstanding economic management in his country.

Milei, who has gained fame in the United States and the rest of the world for his economic reform in Argentina, characterized by the reduction of the State and fiscal balance, said in his speech that his main fight in the country is in favor of freedom and against collectivist policies, stating: "Socialism is a disease of the soul."

"Today I am honored with the distinction of Titan of Economic Reform and I must say that the title is really apt, since the task we have been carrying out in Argentina for a year now is truly titanic, not only because of the dimension, depth and complexity of the reforms we are carrying out, but also because we must fight against the extortion and sabotage of corporate interests entrenched in the power of the active regime," said Milei, one of the foreign mandarins invited to Trump's inauguration.