The city of Buenos Aires hosted on Wednesday one of the most significant gatherings of the global national-conservative movement: the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Originating from decades of conservative organizing in the United States, this event took place shortly after Donald Trump’s electoral victory in the U.S. and as Argentina approaches the first anniversary of Javier Milei’s presidency.
Experts agree that the event positions Milei as a key figure of a new conservatism in Latin America, cementing his alliance with Trump as a central regional partner.
While there was anticipation around Donald Trump’s direct involvement, CPAC Argentina organizers clarified earlier that his participation would not be in person but “in some way.” Trump and Milei had previously met at CPAC Maryland in February and again in November at a gathering in Mar-a-Lago, highlighting their connection. Instead of President Trump, it was Lara Trump, his daughter-in-law, who addressed the summit. The co-chair of the Republican Party and a prominent member of Donald Trump’s campaign delivered a keynote speech. She praised Milei and emphasized shared values, stating, “Donald Trump and Javier Milei are allies for freedom… As Argentina rises, so does the United States.”
CPAC Argentina, actually, hosted a range of conservative leaders, including, Stephen K. Bannon, former Trump advisor, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro both appearing via video address and “Sound of Freedom” producer Eduardo Verástegui who added diverse voice to the conference. Among the international attendees were notable figures, such as conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, CPAC Argentina host Matt and Mercedes Schlapp, Kari Lake… International figures like Santiago Abascal, leader of Spain’s Vox Party, brought a global perspective to the event. Besides, from the host side, there was eminent presence by Patricia Bullrich, Argentina’s Security Minister, and Luis Caputo, Economy Minister, representing Milei’s government.
The event commenced at 11 a.m. local time with a warm welcome from Matt and Mercedes Schlapp. Addressing the audience, Mercedes Schlapp stated, “We are very committed to advancing freedom, protecting our families, and defeating communism in the United States, Latin America, and around the world.” Following her remarks, she introduced the day’s first speaker, Lara Trump.
Lara Trump delivered a message of shared prosperity between the United States and Argentina, declaring, “We are the people trying to build the dream, and we are putting our countries back on their feet. Together, our nations, America and Argentina, are going to inspire the world. As Argentina rises, America rises; as we prosper, you prosper. From La Pampa to the Colorado Canyon, we are going to make our countries great again.”
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, visiting Argentina for the first time, described President Milei’s economic policies as “the most important economic experiment in modern history.” Defending capitalism and free markets, Shapiro asserted, “Free trade is the only moral system. Individual freedom is the main product of a free economy.” He emphasized the significance of protecting private property and addressed Argentina’s current situation under Milei’s administration.
“This is the starting point: free markets are good, socialism is bad. Free markets bring prosperity; socialism generates misery. That is why what is happening in this country is the most important political event on planet Earth right now,” Shapiro remarked. Critiquing Argentina’s past leadership, he said, “For too long, Argentina has been ruled by scavengers—people who believe they can expropriate anything without producing anything, destroying the work of the lions. But now, Argentina is regaining its place as the leader of the lions. The people in this country stood up and said, ‘Enough.'”
Kari Lake, former Republican Senate and gubernatorial candidate from Arizona, reflected on Argentina’s economic struggles in 2023, noting “12 billion in Central Bank debt and 50% poverty.” She recounted, “Then an outsider, a citizen, stood up and said, ‘Maybe I can help.’ That outsider is now a phenomenon, an agent of change.”
Javier Milei’s Speech: A Call for a Cultural Revolution
In a commanding speech, Argentine President Javier Milei urged conservatives to embark on a “cultural battle” against socialism, framing it as essential to global freedom and national recovery. Addressing as the final speaker of the event, Milei was greeted with cheers as he took the stage and delivered a passionate speech against his adversaries.
Declaring that the “new winds of freedom are sweeping through the world,” the leader of La Libertad Avanza called on both his domestic and international allies to start a “cultural battle” to ensure that “lefties” and socialists cannot seize power.
“We must stand together, establishing channels of cooperation throughout the world. We could call ourselves a right-wing international, a network of mutual assistance made up of all those interested in spreading the ideas of freedom around the world,” Milei told the crowd, which erupted in applause.
“It is our moral duty to defend the legacy of our western civilisation,” the national-conservative leader added.
“The only way to fight socialism is from the right. The extreme centre, its positions and tools are always and everywhere functional to the criminal left,” he stated.
“You can’t raise the white flag in front of the left, trying to appease them is not an option. They do not act out of good faith, but out of a criminal ambition for power. They would rather the country collapse than prosper without them,” he claimed.
“That is why there is no room for those who demand consensus, forms, and good manners. Forms are means; today, to submit to the demands of forms is to raise a white flag in the face of an inclement enemy. Fire is fought with fire. And if they accuse us of violence, I remind them that we are the reaction to 100 years of outrages,” Milei declared.
Milei delivered a sharp critique of socialism, referring to it as “garbage” and identifying it as the source of political and economic malaise across Latin America. He outlined three key strategies to combat it:
- Efficient Governance: Strong management and economic policies to restore public trust.
- Political Mobilization: Building networks and coalitions to counteract leftist dominance.
- Cultural Battle: Engaging in intellectual and cultural arenas to challenge and dismantle leftist ideologies.
Milei traced socialism’s ideological success back to the fall of the Berlin Wall, criticizing conservatives of the time for prematurely abandoning the ideological battlefield. He argued that leftists capitalized on this void by infiltrating universities, media, and cultural institutions, effectively dominating the discourse.
The Role of Global Leaders
Milei positioned himself alongside leaders like former U.S. President Donald Trump and El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, whom he praised as part of a worldwide movement resisting socialism. He characterized this era as a “historic opportunity” to reclaim freedom, likening it to the period following the Cold War.
Milei’s speech was not only a condemnation of socialism but also a rallying cry for intellectual and cultural resistance. He stressed the need for conservatives to strengthen their ideological foundations, warning that political victories alone would not suffice. Drawing on metaphors of resilience, he argued that conservatives must fortify their beliefs to withstand and counteract leftist narratives.
“If you strengthen your body but do not strengthen your ideas, the wild beasts will eat you anyway,” he declared.
A Call to Action for Argentina and Beyond
Milei concluded with a vision for Argentina as a global beacon of freedom, positioning the nation as an exemplar for the West. He highlighted the importance of rediscovering the principles of liberty, urging conservatives worldwide to combat socialism with renewed vigor.
“We can be an example for a West that desperately needs to rediscover the ideas of freedom. May God bless the Argentines, and may the strength of heaven be with us.”
He closed his speech with his iconic slogan, “Long live liberty, damn it!”
The Global Impact of CPAC Argentina
CPAC Argentina underscored Milei’s ambitions to lead not just his nation but a global movement against socialism. Analysts view the event as a significant step in Milei’s strategy to consolidate his role as a key figure in the international conservative sphere. By aligning Argentina with prominent conservative leaders and ideologies, Milei is positioning the nation as a vital player in the global cultural and political struggle against woke and new-left movements.
