Argentine President Javier Milei found himself in the midst of heated exchanges during a speech at the 172nd anniversary of the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange. Speaking to an audience of over 500 business leaders, Milei delivered a remark that quickly gained traction: "If you don’t like it, go to Cuba."
As reported by Infobae, the confrontation arose while Milei was discussing government spending and the fiscal deficit. An attendee, a lifelong engineer of the institution around 70 years old, interrupted him to argue that the current administration, not past ones, was to blame for the deficit.
Milei promptly responded from the podium, stating, "No, it’s not now; it was before. We have moved past that. We made the adjustments to defuse the bomb left behind by those cursed populists."
When the attendee persisted, Milei escalated the confrontation with a statement that was met with applause: "I will finish this term, I will be reelected, and I will govern for another four years. And here’s some more bad news for you. We are laying the groundwork for a hundred years of liberalism. Therefore, if you don’t like it, go to Cuba."
According to a report by La Nación, the attendee, identified as Castellanos, was later escorted by protocol staff to continue watching the event from a different room.
This incident occurred a day after the Senate postponed a session to discuss a government-backed bill on the inviolability of private property. Seizing the moment, Milei criticized opposing legislators by stating, "Those who oppose the staunch defense of property rights are clearly enemies of progress."
Milei’s mention of Cuba is not an isolated rhetorical flourish but a recurrent theme in his speeches. He has often denounced the Cuban regime as a "bloody, starving, murderous dictatorship."
In June, he foresaw Cuba’s inevitable downfall, predicting that Trump and Marco Rubio would one day walk onto the island. In May, at the Milken Institute Conference in Beverly Hills, Milei expressed his hope that Trump’s American dream would soon reach Cuba and Venezuela, noting that the island has been devoid of freedom for 67 years.
During the 79th UN General Assembly in September 2024, Milei called for the exclusion of Cuba and Venezuela from the Human Rights Council, labeling them "bloody dictatorships."
Since taking office in December 2023, Milei has refrained from appointing ambassadors to Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, and he notably excluded Díaz-Canel from his inauguration ceremony.
In October 2025, Argentina and Paraguay were the only two Latin American nations to vote against Cuba in the annual UN resolution regarding the U.S. embargo.
Insights into Javier Milei's Stance on Cuba
What was the context of Javier Milei's "go to Cuba" remark?
Javier Milei's comment was made during a speech at the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange, where he was addressing government spending and fiscal deficit issues. It followed an interruption by an attendee who challenged his statements.
How does Javier Milei view the Cuban regime?
Milei frequently criticizes the Cuban regime, describing it as a "bloody, starving, murderous dictatorship." This rhetoric forms a consistent part of his speeches and public comments.
What actions has Milei taken regarding Cuba since becoming president?
Since assuming the presidency, Milei has not appointed ambassadors to Cuba, Venezuela, or Nicaragua. Additionally, he has excluded Díaz-Canel from his inauguration and voted against Cuba at the UN regarding the U.S. embargo.