Argentine President Javier Milei extended an unusual invitation this weekend to New Yorkers disillusioned by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s socialist agenda, encouraging them to move to Argentina — a nation he said has “opened itself up to freedom” after decades of collectivist decline.
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) retreat hosted by President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Milei recalled Argentina’s historic embrace of immigrants and framed his message as a warning against what he described as “the moral and economic ruin of socialism.”
“I would like to dedicate these words especially to New Yorkers, who have taken the opposite route of the one that Argentina took and will now live under a communist government,” Milei said. “Know that if things get complicated, you will always be well received on our land if you seek to prosper.”
Milei — who won Argentina’s presidency on a libertarian, pro-capitalist platform — traveled to the United States for the event following appearances at the America Business Forum in Miami.
A Rebuke of ‘Democratic Socialism’
While Milei did not mention Mamdani by name during his CPAC speech, he directly addressed New Yorkers’ “choice of democratic socialism,” warning that collectivist policies inevitably lead to moral decay and capital flight.
“When one takes the path of socialism, communism, or any other type of collectivism — some call it now democratic socialism — first a moral harm is generated in society, under which is justified theft from some to benefit others,” Milei said. “Then, when the fruit of their efforts is expropriated, sick of exploitation, they go to another jurisdiction where they are respected and the economic damage begins due to the flight of capital.”
The Argentine leader drew parallels between New York’s recent election and his own country’s century-long struggle with a populist left-wing movement he blames for Argentina’s economic crises.
“Argentina took that path for the past 100 years and reached the brink of collapse,” he said. “In 2023, it decided to change course radically and open itself up to freedom.”
Mamdani’s Platform and Political Context
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic Socialist and state assemblyman, won New York City’s mayoral election last week on a sweeping progressive platform that includes free citywide public transit, government-run grocery stores and replacing the NYPD with a “Department of Community Safety.”
Mamdani’s victory came against Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa and former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who ran as an independent.
Argentina’s Open Door — With Conditions
Milei invoked Argentina’s long tradition of immigration, noting that the country’s constitution explicitly welcomes foreigners who “want to live on Argentine soil.”
Despite his libertarian reforms, Milei recently issued an executive order tightening immigration to reduce public spending — limiting migrants’ access to welfare programs while still allowing legal residency and citizenship after two years.
A Message of Confidence and Celebration
At CPAC, Milei also celebrated his coalition’s strong performance in Argentina’s recent midterm elections, which expanded the influence of his Liberty Advances party in Congress.
“In the most difficult moment, when all believed that our government was finished, 41 percent of Argentines chose to ratify their trust in our path to liberty,” Milei said.
Closing his speech, the Argentine leader struck a lighter note, joining attendees in dancing to the Village People’s “YMCA,” now a signature tune of Trump rallies.
READ NEXT: Argentina Vice President Cristina Fernández Avoids Assassination Attempt
I MAY GO BECAUSE RINOS IN TEXAS REFUSE TO CLOSE PRIMARIES UM MAYBE MY NEXT MOVE