Spain recalled its ambassador to Buenos Aires for consultations on Sunday after Argentina's President Javier Milei made derogatory comments about Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife during a far-right rally in Madrid.
Milei had called Sanchez's wife Begona Gomez "corrupt" during a rally in Madrid organised by the far-right Vox party and attended by many of its international allies.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said he expected an apology from Milei.
Other ministers also condemned Milei's speech, in which he described socialism as "cursed and carcinogenic". Sanchez leads Spain's Socialist Party.
"With his behaviour, Milei has brought the relationship between Spain and Argentina to its most serious state in recent history," Albares said in a video statement.
Milei would not apologize, his spokesperson said in an interview with an Argentine TV channel later Sunday. Spanish officials should retract insults they have made against him, he added.
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Do you think personal feelings should influence diplomatic actions and relationships between countries?
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How do personal attacks in politics affect the relationship between different countries?
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Should countries demand apologies for offensive statements made by foreign leaders, and what should be the repercussions if no apology is given?
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Is it ever justifiable for a politician to make personal attacks against another country's leaders or their family members?
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How would you feel if a foreign leader publicly insulted a member of your country's leader's family?
