Milei Skips Spain Summit Dinner, Meets Vox Leader Abascal

Argentine President Javier Milei did not attend the opening of the 30th Ibero-American Summit in Madrid on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. He also skipped the gala dinner hosted by Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at the Royal Collections Gallery.

Milei arrived at Torrejon de Ardoz air base at 4:10 p.m. local time, about three hours before the ceremony at the Royal Theatre. The ceremony was led by Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Argentine representation at the event was handled by Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno.

“Se puede ser mas fino”

The presidential office did not officially explain the absence, stating only that the meeting was not on the agenda. Diplomatic sources told Europa Press that Argentina sent a formal request to Spain's Foreign Ministry last Friday to coordinate a meeting with the monarch but received no response.

Sources linked the absence to a failed audience request with the King, attributing the lack of definition to the Moncloa government rather than the Royal Household. They noted that all official royal agendas require government approval and that Milei traveled because Felipe VI formally invited him to the summit.

Instead of the summit events, Milei met with Vox leader Santiago Abascal at 6:30 p.m. Argentine time. The meeting took place 25 days before Spain's general elections on November 29 and amid renewed tensions with Pedro Sanchez's government.

Former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy criticized Milei's attacks on Sanchez, saying one can be more subtle. La Libertad Avanza celebrated the photo with Abascal, stating they are united in defending freedom and the cultural battle.