International reactions to Milei's triumph in Argentina: from world leaders to Elon Musk

Javier Milei was chosen as the next president of Argentina. The libertarian achieved a resounding victory against the Peronist Sergio Massa and will arrive at the Casa Rosada on December 10. Although the polls suggested that it would be a very close election, the economist won with 55% of the votes, against 44% for his rival. Minutes after the announcement, international reactions began to arrive, ranging from world leaders and ambassadors to Elon Musk.

The Peronist Massa was quick to congratulate the libertarian. Before 8:30 p.m. (local time), the Peronist candidate took the stage and acknowledged defeat. “I have contacted Javier Milei to congratulate him and wish him luck because he is the president that the majority of Argentines chose for the next four years,” he expressed, to the dismay of his followers.

"We have also presented to the president-elect and the president of the Nation the responsibility of putting in place liaison and transition mechanisms tomorrow for democratic change so that Argentines in the next 19 days have no doubts or uncertainties regarding the normal functioning of the economy: social, political and institutional,” he added.

Reactions to Javier Milei's victory

Donald Trump congratulated the new president of Argentina on his social networks. "Congratulations to Javier Milei on a great race for President of Argentina. The whole world was watching! I am very proud of you. You will turn your Country around and truly Make Argentina Great Again!" the Republican candidate posted on his Truth Social account.

One of the first to speak out was the president of Brazil, Lula da Silva, who had sent his explicit support for Sergio Massa. "Democracy is the voice of the people and must always be respected. My congratulations to the Argentine institutions for conducting the electoral process and to the Argentine people who participated in the election day in an orderly and peaceful manner," wrote the Brazilian president, who leads Argentina's main trading partner.

"I wish luck and success to the new Government. Argentina is a great country and deserves all our respect. Brazil will always be available to work alongside our Argentine brothers and sisters," he added.

On the other side of Brazilian politics, Jair Bolsonaro congratulated Milei with more enthusiasm and dared to predict that Trump will return to the White House in 2024.

Minutes later, Marc Stanley, U.S. ambassador of the United States in Argentina, spoke. Attaching a photo with the new president, he sent his best wishes from the North American government.

"Congratulations to Javier Milei and the Argentine people! We look forward to working together on shared priorities that benefit the people of our two countries, including protecting human rights and democracy, combating climate change, improving the investment climate and investing in the middle class," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

One of the most viral reactions was that of Elon Musk. The businessman responded to a user's post and noted that "Prosperity is ahead for Argentina."

The United Kingdom also expressed itself about the libertarian triumph, through the word of ambassador Kirsty Hayes. "Congratulations to the elected president, Javier Milei, for the victory and to all the Argentine people for having exercised their democratic rights in an exemplary manner. We are ready to work together with your government to strengthen the relationship between the United Kingdom and Argentina," she published.

Gustavo Petro, the leftist president of Colombia took a more negative view and directly lamented Milei's triumph. " The extreme right has won in Argentina; it is the decision of its society. Sad for Latin America and we will see.. Neoliberalism no longer has a proposal for society, it cannot respond to humanity's current problems," he wrote.

Cold reception from the current president

Alberto Fernández, who must hand over the presidential baton on December 10, made a post on his social networks in which he did not congratulate the winner.

"The people have expressed their will. Millions of Argentinean men and women went to vote and defined the destiny of the country for the next 4 years. I am a man of democracy, and I value nothing more than the people's choice. I trust that tomorrow we can start working with Javier Milei to guarantee an orderly transition," he expressed, and then recognized the work of Sergio Massa.

Vivek Ramaswamy: "May the spirits of Mises and Hayek be with you"

The Republican candidate for president recorded a video on the triumph of Milei, whom he congratulated on the victory. "Just a century ago, Argentina was one of the ten wealthiest countries in the world. Today's Argentina suffers 124% inflation and loses economic migrants to other countries. Congratulations to Javier Milei. Now the hard part begins. May the spirits of Mises and Hayek be with you," said Ramaswamy.