Former President Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration is making waves as world leaders express their intention to attend, a departure from typical American political customs. Argentine President Javier Milei has confirmed his plans to be there, marking a historic first for a South American president. This new approach encourages stronger international relations, which is a welcome change.
Milei’s spokesperson communicated to the press that Trump extended this special invitation to him, highlighting its significance. In addition, the ambassador from El Salvador mentioned that President Nayib Bukele received an invitation and is currently considering whether to attend, primarily due to security concerns.
Traditionally, heads of state have not attended U.S. presidential inaugurations, making this change noteworthy. During recent interactions, Trump mentioned that he also invited Chinese President Xi Jinping, though Jinping has yet to respond about his attendance. When asked about other invitations, Trump clarified that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not among the invitees, although he expressed openness to welcoming him.
Trump’s team has not released specific details regarding the number of invited officials, but indications show that he is in active discussions with numerous world leaders. The ambassador from El Salvador, Milena Mayorga, shared her anticipation regarding Bukele’s response, emphasizing the importance of safety in decision-making.
Milei was notably the first foreign leader to meet Trump after the election, visiting him at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. He identifies as an “anarcho-capitalist” and has gained admiration from prominent figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy is expected to lead a new initiative aimed at reducing governmental inefficiencies.
Milei’s team noted that Trump is also planning to establish an agency akin to Argentina’s new deregulation ministry, which Milei has championed fiercely. Known for his radical budget cuts and austerity measures—such as substantial layoffs and firm restrictions on public spending—Milei aims to stabilize his nation, which has been facing economic challenges.
Economists are cautiously optimistic about these changes in Argentina, believing that Milei’s reforms might be heading the country in the right direction. Furthering cooperation between the U.S. and Argentina could facilitate a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund, potentially alleviating some of Argentina’s heavy debt burdens in the near future.
