Javier Milei Celebrates Colombia’s Abelardo de la Espriella Victory: “The Lion and Tiger Roar in Latin America”

Buenos Aires, Argentina — June 20, 2024 — Argentine President Javier Milei hailed Colombia’s conservative candidate Abelardo de la Espriella as the country’s newly elected president, framing the victory as a landmark moment for Latin America’s right-wing resurgence. In a live address from the presidential palace, Milei declared, “The lion and tiger roar in Latin America,” referencing Colombia’s national animal and Argentina’s own symbolic wildlife to underscore a regional shift toward market-oriented governance.

De la Espriella, a former Bogotá mayor and businessman, defeated leftist Gustavo Petro in a tightly contested runoff election, securing official results placing him ahead by a margin of approximately 51.1% to 48.9%, according to Colombia’s National Electoral Council. Milei’s effusive celebration—shared via social media and in a televised statement—marked the latest development in a wave of right-wing victories across the continent, including Milei’s own rise to power in Argentina last December.

While Milei’s remarks were met with enthusiasm among conservative allies, analysts warn the victory could deepen regional polarization, particularly as both leaders advocate for dramatic economic reforms. De la Espriella has pledged to reverse Petro’s social spending policies, while Milei has pushed Argentina toward aggressive deregulation and fiscal austerity. The question now is whether their shared ideological ground will translate into coordinated policy shifts or merely heightened competition for influence.

Why This Victory Matters: Three Key Implications for Latin America

De la Espriella’s win is more than a domestic political shift—it signals a potential realignment of Latin America’s political spectrum. Here’s what it means:

• Market-Liberal Resurgence: Both Milei and De la Espriella advocate for reduced state intervention, privatization of key sectors, and tighter fiscal policies. Their victories could accelerate a rollback of progressive reforms implemented by leftist governments like Petro’s in Colombia and Lula’s in Brazil.
• Regional Polarization: While Milei’s “libertarian” brand clashes with De la Espriella’s more traditional conservatism, both leaders oppose Venezuela’s Maduro regime and Cuba’s communist government. This shared opposition could strengthen a right-wing bloc in the region, though ideological differences remain.
• Economic Uncertainty: De la Espriella has proposed cutting corporate taxes and reversing Petro’s “solidarity tax” on the wealthy, policies that could attract foreign investment but also spark social unrest. Milei’s own economic reforms in Argentina have already triggered protests, raising questions about the stability of such shifts.

Milei’s Celebration: A Calculated Move or Genuine Alliance?

Milei’s public endorsement of De la Espriella goes beyond mere congratulations. In a statement to Infobae, he described the victory as “a triumph for those who believe in freedom, private property, and the rule of law.” Political observers note that Milei’s own rise to power was fueled by a backlash against leftist governance in Argentina, and De la Espriella’s win could embolden similar movements in Peru, Chile, and beyond.

However, not all conservatives in the region share Milei’s enthusiasm. DW.com reports that some traditional right-wing parties, such as Colombia’s Centro Democrático, have distanced themselves from Milei’s more radical economic proposals. “De la Espriella is a conservative, not a libertarian,” said one Colombian lawmaker. “We don’t share Milei’s vision of abolishing the central bank.”

This ideological divide could complicate any potential alliance. While Milei has positioned himself as a leader of Latin America’s right, De la Espriella’s coalition includes centrist and moderate factions that may resist Milei’s push for sweeping deregulation.

What Happens Next: De la Espriella’s Agenda and Milei’s Influence

De la Espriella’s presidency begins on August 7, 2024, but his first major challenge will be navigating Colombia’s deeply divided Congress. Unlike Milei, who governs with a slim majority in Argentina’s legislature, De la Espriella’s coalition lacks a clear majority, meaning his economic reforms will require negotiation—or executive decrees, a tactic Milei has also employed.

Key policy areas to watch:

• Economic Reforms: De la Espriella has promised to reverse Petro’s tax hikes on corporations and the wealthy, while Milei has pushed for eliminating Argentina’s central bank entirely. Analysts at Reuters suggest these divergent approaches could lead to a “two-speed” economic recovery in the region.
• Foreign Policy: Both leaders have criticized Venezuela’s Maduro and Cuba’s Díaz-Canel, but De la Espriella has been more cautious in his rhetoric. Milei, meanwhile, has openly called for regime change in Caracas. This could create tensions if De la Espriella seeks to maintain diplomatic relations with leftist governments in the region.
• Social Unrest: Milei’s economic policies have sparked protests in Argentina, and De la Espriella’s austerity measures could face similar backlash. In Colombia, The Guardian reports that leftist groups have already announced plans to organize demonstrations against De la Espriella’s agenda.

Regional Reactions: A Divided Right and a Watchful Left

While Milei’s celebration dominated headlines, reactions across Latin America were mixed. Traditional right-wing parties, such as Brazil’s Liberal Party, offered cautious support, but leftist leaders condemned the result as a setback for social progress.

Right-Wing Reactions:

• Brazil: Former President Jair Bolsonaro congratulated De la Espriella, calling his victory “a victory for democracy and freedom.” However, Bolsonaro’s party, the PL, has distanced itself from Milei’s more radical economic proposals.
• Chile: President Gabriel Boric, a leftist, criticized the result as a “step backward” for Latin America, while opposition leader José Antonio Kast praised De la Espriella’s win.
• Peru: President Dina Boluarte, whose government has faced mass protests, issued a neutral statement but avoided direct congratulations, reflecting the fragile political climate in Lima.

Leftist Reactions:

• Venezuela: President Nicolás Maduro accused Colombia’s right-wing of seeking to “impose a neoliberal agenda” on the region, while opposition leader María Corina Machado welcomed De la Espriella’s victory as a potential ally against Maduro.
• Mexico: President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) did not directly address the result but reiterated his support for Petro’s policies, calling them “a model for Latin America.”

This regional divide underscores the deep ideological fault lines in Latin America today. While Milei and De la Espriella share a commitment to market liberalism, their paths to power—and the resistance they face—highlight the continent’s ongoing struggle between economic reform and social equity.

What’s Next: De la Espriella’s First 100 Days and Milei’s Role

De la Espriella’s presidency will officially begin on August 7, 2024, but his first major legislative battles will start immediately. Key deadlines to watch:

• July 20, 2024: De la Espriella is expected to announce his cabinet, including key economic ministers who will shape his reform agenda.
• August 15, 2024: Colombia’s Congress reconvenes, where De la Espriella will need to secure support for his economic proposals.
• September 2024: Milei is scheduled to attend the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York, where he may use the platform to advocate for his economic model alongside De la Espriella.

Milei, meanwhile, faces his own challenges at home. Argentina’s economy remains volatile, with inflation still above 200% annually, and Milei’s approval ratings have dropped to a new low amid protests over austerity measures. His celebration of De la Espriella’s victory may be a strategic move to shift focus from Argentina’s domestic struggles to a broader regional narrative.