Milei's Paris Visit Amid Soccer Controversy

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentine President Javier Milei arrived in Paris on Thursday for a crucial meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, following a diplomatic spat ignited by derogatory chants from the Argentine soccer team. The controversy erupted after a video surfaced of players celebrating their Copa America victory, where they sang a song deemed racist towards French players of African descent. The French soccer federation has since filed a legal complaint against the athletes, prompting public apologies, including one from midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The situation escalated into a political scandal when Argentina's conservative Vice President Victoria Villarruel defended the team, labeling France a "colonialist" nation and asserting that Argentina does not harbor racism. Her comments, which included a dismissal of French indignation as hypocritical, have drawn criticism and further complicated diplomatic relations. Villarruel's stance reflects a growing wave of nationalism in Argentina, which Milei has been cautious to navigate. Milei, a right-wing populist, faces the challenge of balancing national pride with the need to maintain diplomatic ties, particularly as tensions with historical allies like Brazil and Spain have already surfaced. His administration has distanced itself from Villarruel's remarks, emphasizing that they do not reflect the government's views. Meanwhile, Villarruel continues to amplify nationalist sentiments, sharing footage of hostile incidents involving Moroccan fans during a recent match. As Milei seeks to strengthen Argentina's international standing, expectations are rising that a potential Trump administration could favorably influence relations and economic negotiations with the IMF.