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Politics
31 January 2025

Javier Milei's Davos Speech Sparks Outrage And Support

The Argentine president's remarks on gender ideology and immigration ignite protests and provoke political realignments.

Javier Milei, the newly inaugurated President of Argentina, has erupted onto the international stage with a forceful critique of what he describes as the 'wokeness' of global elites, inciting both fervent support and widespread protests.

During his address last Thursday at the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in Davos, Switzerland, Milei denounced gender ideology, proclaiming it as outright child abuse and categorizing its advocates as pedophiles. This bold rhetoric has sparked protests from LGBTQ+ activists, who have labeled his remarks as inflammatory and dangerous. Protests erupted across Argentina, leading to calls for anti-fascist actions organized by the LGBTQ+ community.

His speech was particularly scathing, calling it “the most scathing speech delivered so far by a world leader in Davos.” He stated, “Until we remove this abhorrent ideology from our culture, our institutions and our laws, Western civilization — and even the human species — will not be able to return to the path of progress demanded by our preceding spirit.”

Milei's rhetoric did not stop there. He defined 'wokeness' as “the concept of liberation through state intervention” and labeled it as “cancer” and “a great epidemic.” He urged global leaders to embrace libertarian views and order, asserting, “The West stands at the pinnacle of human achievement primarily due to its Greco-Roman heritage and Judeo-Christian values.”

He insisted on the need for the WEF and other global institutions to take responsibility for their historical misdeeds and issued what he termed as “the mea culpa” demanded by society. “If globally influential institutions like this one wish to turn over a new leaf and participate in good faith... it will have to take responsibility for the role played over the past decades,” he emphasized.

Particularly controversial are Milei’s remarks on abortion and gender identity. He condemned the “bloody, murderous abortion agenda” as rooted in “the Malthusian premise” and claimed global birth rates are now too low, prompting urgency among nations. He sharply criticized gender treatment practices: “Healthy children are being irreversibly harmed through hormone treatments and mutilation, as if a five-year-old child could possibly consent to such things.”

Milei's critique also extended to immigration policies which he argues have led to what he describes as ‘reverse colonization,’ accusing Western nations of feeling guilt over historical injustices and opening borders excessively. “Wokeness has distorted the issue of immigration,” he stated. “It leads to forms of collective suicide.” Meanwhile, he expressed concern about the inability to truthfully discuss the realities of immigration due to fear of being labeled racist or xenophobic.

“Since the West is supposedly the root cause of all of the world’s evils... it must redeem itself by opening its borders,” Milei remarked, proposing it as inherently unsustainable for national interests.

The president’s provocative assertions drew parallels to environmentalism, where he accused proponents of pushing radical ideologies. “Humans are seen as cancer,” he lamented, linking environmentalist sentiments to broader anti-human attitudes.

Following his speech, the Argentine LGBTQ+ community organized protests, and groups rallied against Milei's comments. These protests are scheduled to escalate, with activists planning significant demonstrations to voice their dissent against the president’s positions. “We reject this kind of rhetoric from our president,” one activist claimed, calling for unity against discrimination.

Simultaneously, Milei confidently asserted, “Slowly, an international alliance has been forming among all those nations which, like ours, want to be free and believe in the ideas of liberty.” Citing allies such as Donald Trump and leaders from Italy and Hungary, he expressed optimism for fostering connections among like-minded countries.

On another note, Edmundo Gonzlez, the former Venezuelan opposition candidate, recently returned to Latin America, visibly aligning with Milei. Following his meeting with the Argentine leader, Gonzlez proclaimed it the start of his “Latin American tour” aimed at uniting opposition movements across the region, presenting himself as the legitimate president-elect of Venezuela.

His appearance alongside Milei has been received with mixed feelings, with some supporters viewing it as a step toward regional solidarity against oppressive regimes, whereas others fear the rise of right-wing politics as dangerously polarizing.

Overall, Milei’s outspoken attacks at the WEF symbolize his assertive stance against global ideologies he deems harmful to society, signaling both domestic and international ramifications as his administration embarks on its path. His charged remarks demonstrate how the Argentinian president aims not only to influence national policy but also to reshape the dialogue on global issues surrounding identity, immigration, and economic strategies.