Javier Milei

Javier Milei
Born	Javier Gerardo Milei 22 10, 1970
Birthplace	Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Nationality	Argentine
Occupation	Politician, economist
Title	President of Argentina
Known for	59th President of Argentina, libertarian economic policies, La Libertad Avanza
Education	Master's degree in economics

Javier Gerardo Milei (born 22 October 1970) is an Argentine politician and economist serving as the 59th President of Argentina since 10 December 2023. A figure who rose from the television studios of Buenos Aires to the Casa Rosada, Milei built his political career on an uncompromising critique of the Argentine political establishment and its economic management, channeling widespread public frustration with decades of inflation, currency crises, and fiscal instability into a movement that upended the country's traditional political order. Before entering politics, Milei worked as a professor of macroeconomics and gained public prominence in the 2010s through frequent appearances as a pundit on Argentine television programs, where his combative style and libertarian economic views attracted a large following. He was elected to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies in 2021 representing the City of Buenos Aires for his party, La Libertad Avanza, and two years later defeated incumbent Economy Minister Sergio Massa in the second round of the 2023 presidential election. Milei's political ideology has been described as right-wing libertarian and right-wing populist, drawing on minarchist and anarcho-capitalist principles, with a platform centered on laissez-faire economics and a comprehensive overhaul of Argentina's fiscal and structural policies. His presidency has been marked by ambitious pro-market reforms, including tariff reductions, labor market liberalization, and controversial fiscal legislation, positioning Argentina as a test case for radical libertarian governance in Latin America.

Early Life

Javier Gerardo Milei was born on 22 October 1970 in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Details about his parents and upbringing have been the subject of Argentine media coverage throughout his public career. Milei has spoken publicly about aspects of his childhood, including a reportedly difficult relationship with his father, which has been referenced in various Argentine media profiles.

Milei developed an interest in economics at a relatively young age. He has cited the works of the Austrian School of economics, including those of Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, and Murray Rothbard, as formative intellectual influences that shaped his worldview and his later critique of interventionist economic policies in Argentina.

Milei is known for his distinctive personal style and what media outlets have described as a flamboyant personality. His relationship with his pets, particularly his dogs, has been a recurring feature of his public persona. In one notable television appearance, Milei introduced his dog Conan and other pets on the program Infama Recargado, a moment that received significant media attention in Argentina.

Education

Milei attended the University of Belgrano in Buenos Aires, where he obtained a degree in economics. He subsequently pursued graduate studies, earning a master's degree from the Institute of Social and Economic Development (IDES) and a second master's degree from the Torcuato di Tella University, a private university in Buenos Aires known for its economics and social sciences programs. Following the completion of his graduate education, Milei pursued an academic career, becoming a professor of macroeconomics. His academic work focused on monetary theory and policy, topics that would later inform both his media commentary and his political platform.

Career

Academic and Media Career

Before entering electoral politics, Milei established himself as an economist and academic, teaching macroeconomics at university level. He also worked as a chief economist for various private-sector firms in Argentina. His academic specialization in monetary economics and fiscal policy provided the intellectual foundation for the policy positions he would later advocate in the public arena.

Milei's transition from academia to public prominence occurred during the 2010s, when he began appearing as a regular economic commentator and pundit on Argentine television programs. His appearances on shows such as Animales Sueltos, hosted by Alejandro Fantino, brought him widespread public attention. On these programs, Milei distinguished himself through his aggressive rhetorical style and vocal criticism of the Argentine political establishment, which he accused of perpetuating economic mismanagement through excessive government spending, money printing, and regulatory overreach.

Milei's television persona was characterized by heated exchanges with other panelists and hosts. In one widely covered incident, Milei was involved in a confrontation with a journalist in Salta, which drew media scrutiny. The incident led to legal proceedings, during which a psychological evaluation of Milei was ordered by the court.

In a 2017 interview with El Cronista, Milei criticized the perception that former President Mauricio Macri was a liberal, arguing that Argentina's political class lacked a genuine commitment to free-market principles. This critique of the existing political spectrum—including both the Peronist establishment and center-right parties—became a central element of Milei's public appeal and helped distinguish him from other opposition figures.

His growing media following, particularly among younger Argentines who followed him on social media platforms including YouTube, laid the groundwork for his entry into formal politics.

Entry into Politics and National Deputy (2021–2023)

Milei formally entered electoral politics through the Libertarian Party and founded the political alliance La Libertad Avanza ("Freedom Advances"). In the 2021 Argentine legislative elections, he was elected to the Argentine Chamber of Deputies, representing the City of Buenos Aires.

As a national deputy, Milei adopted an unconventional approach to legislative service. He limited his formal legislative activities primarily to voting, choosing instead to use his position as a platform for continued public criticism of Argentina's political elite and what he characterized as its addiction to high government spending. Milei pledged not to raise taxes and made a point of donating his congressional salary through a monthly public raffle, a gesture that attracted significant media coverage and reinforced his image as an outsider uncorrupted by the political system.

During this period, Milei's party La Libertad Avanza faced accusations regarding the alleged sale of candidacies, with EL PAÍS reporting on the controversy in July 2023. In response, over 120 liberal candidates presented themselves before the judiciary to defend Milei against the allegations.

2023 Presidential Election

Milei announced his candidacy for the 2023 Argentine presidential election, running on a platform that placed blame for the ongoing Argentine monetary crisis squarely on the ideological dominance of Kirchnerism and the broader Peronist political tradition. His campaign centered on proposals for a comprehensive overhaul of the country's fiscal and structural policies, including the potential dollarization of the Argentine economy—a proposal he described as "super easy" in a widely cited interview with EL PAÍS.

Milei's campaign drew on the same combative, anti-establishment rhetoric that had made him a media figure, amplified by his catchphrase "¡Viva la libertad, carajo!" ("Long live freedom, damn it!"). He positioned himself as ideologically aligned with minarchist and anarcho-capitalist principles, advocating for laissez-faire economics, drastic reductions in government spending, and the elimination or downsizing of multiple government ministries and agencies.

On social issues, Milei's platform combined libertarian positions on some topics—such as support for civilian firearms ownership and freedom of choice on drug policy and prostitution—with socially conservative stances on others, including opposition to abortion and euthanasia. In foreign policy, he advocated closer relations with the United States and Israel.

Milei advanced to the second round of the presidential election, where he faced incumbent Economy Minister Sergio Massa. On 19 November 2023, Milei won the runoff election, and he resigned his seat in the Chamber of Deputies on 29 November 2023 ahead of his inauguration. He was inaugurated as the 59th President of Argentina on 10 December 2023, with Victoria Villarruel as Vice President, succeeding Alberto Fernández.

Presidency (2023–present)

Economic and Fiscal Policy

Upon assuming office, Milei moved to implement his campaign promises of radical economic reform. His administration has pursued significant tariff reductions and the dismantling of import restrictions that had been established by previous governments to protect domestic industries. According to the Financial Times, the opening of the economy under Milei has led Argentine consumers to purchase imported goods such as Lego sets and Apple computers at newly competitive prices, as tariffs and a complex web of import barriers were reduced.

A significant and controversial element of Milei's fiscal agenda has been the enactment of what has been termed the "Fiscal Innocence" law. According to MercoPress, Argentine courts have shelved hundreds of tax-evasion cases following the law's implementation. In 2024, Milei told business leaders that those who "escape the claws of the State" are "heroes," criticizing what he described as an oppressive tax regime.

Labor Reform

One of the most significant legislative achievements of the Milei presidency has been the passage of a comprehensive labor reform bill. In February 2026, Argentina's Senate approved Milei's flagship labor reform legislation, marking what Reuters described as "a key advance for the libertarian" president's pro-market overhaul of the Argentine economy.

According to EL PAÍS, the labor reform pushed through by Milei represented changes that Argentina had resisted under previous right-wing governments. The reform was part of Milei's stated goal of dismantling what he characterized as the institutional pillars inherited from Peronism, the populist movement that had dominated Argentine politics for much of the post-World War II era.

Foreign Policy

In foreign policy, the Milei administration has pursued closer alignment with the United States and Israel, consistent with his campaign positions. However, the relationship with Israel has encountered complications. According to The Times of Israel, Argentina halted plans to move its embassy to Jerusalem following a diplomatic dispute related to an Israeli-owned firm's plans for offshore oil exploration near the Falkland Islands (known in Argentina as the Malvinas Islands), a territory whose sovereignty remains contested between Argentina and the United Kingdom.

International Engagements

Milei has been active on the international stage. In January 2026, he delivered a special address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he discussed Argentina's role in the global economy and the trajectory of his government's reform agenda. His Davos speech, which included a defense of free markets, was described by The Washington Post as "timely and needed," with the newspaper's opinion section noting that the Argentine president's address "brings Davos back to earth."

Relationship with Vice President

The relationship between Milei and Vice President Victoria Villarruel has been a subject of public attention. In February 2026, Cabinet Chief Manuel Adorni stated publicly that Villarruel was "not part" of the Milei administration, asserting that the Vice President was not involved in policy-making decisions. This statement attracted considerable coverage in the Argentine press.

Personal Life

Milei's personal life has been a subject of extensive media coverage in Argentina. La Nación published a profile exploring his views on love and relationships. Perfil published a profile describing what it characterized as the "unusual private and family life" of the economist.

Milei is known for his close relationship with his pets, particularly his dogs, which he has referred to publicly as his "children." His dog Conan has become something of a public figure in its own right, with Milei introducing the animal on Argentine television.

His distinctive appearance, including his notably unkempt hairstyle and sideburns, has become one of his most recognizable features and has been widely commented upon in both Argentine and international media coverage.

Recognition

Milei's rise from television pundit to president of Argentina has drawn international attention and commentary. His election in 2023 was covered extensively by global media outlets as an example of the growing appeal of anti-establishment and libertarian politics in Latin America and worldwide.

His 2026 address at the World Economic Forum in Davos was a significant moment of international recognition, placing him on the same stage as other world leaders and global economic figures. The Washington Post editorial board characterized his defense of free markets at the forum as a necessary corrective to the prevailing discourse, noting that "most world leaders attend" the event but that Milei's contribution stood out for its directness.

The passage of his labor reform bill was noted by international news agencies including Reuters as a historic achievement, with the news agency describing it as representing the kind of structural change that previous Argentine governments—including right-wing ones—had been unable to accomplish.

His catchphrase "¡Viva la libertad, carajo!" has become one of the most recognizable political slogans in contemporary Latin American politics, frequently cited in international media coverage of both Milei and broader political trends in the region.

Legacy

As a sitting head of state whose presidency began in December 2023, the long-term legacy of Javier Milei's governance remains to be determined. However, several aspects of his political career have already had a measurable impact on Argentine politics and public discourse.

Milei's election represented the first time a self-identified libertarian won the presidency of a major Latin American country. His political movement, La Libertad Avanza, emerged from outside the traditional structures of Argentine politics—neither from the Peronist movement nor from the established center-right parties—and demonstrated the capacity of media-driven, ideologically defined political movements to capture executive power in Argentina.

The legislative achievements of his early presidency, particularly the labor reform passed in February 2026, represent structural changes to Argentine economic governance that previous administrations had attempted but failed to enact. Whether these reforms produce sustained economic improvement or provoke significant social disruption will be a central question in evaluating his time in office.

Milei's economic approach—combining drastic spending cuts, trade liberalization, deregulation, and a philosophical commitment to reducing the size and scope of government—has made Argentina a focus of international attention among economists and political scientists studying the practical application of libertarian economic theory at the national level. His fiscal policies, including the "Fiscal Innocence" law and his publicly stated view that tax evaders are "heroes," represent a departure from conventional governance norms that has generated both support and criticism within Argentina and internationally.