Milei's Paris Visit Amid Soccer Controversy

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentine President Javier Milei arrived in Paris on Thursday for a crucial meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, following a diplomatic rift 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, condemning the remarks as "unacceptable." The situation escalated when Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel defended the players, asserting that Argentina would not accept criticism from a "colonialist" nation. In a provocative social media post, she claimed that Argentina is not a racist country, contrasting it with France's colonial history. This statement has drawn significant backlash, with many viewing it as a political misstep amid rising tensions. President Milei, navigating the nationalist sentiments surrounding the soccer team while attempting to mitigate diplomatic fallout, faces challenges in maintaining relations with France. His administration has already experienced friction with other traditional allies, including Brazil and Spain, due to his far-right rhetoric and policies. As the diplomatic landscape shifts, there are expectations that a potential Trump administration could favor Milei's government, possibly influencing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the near future. The outcome of Milei's discussions in Paris remains to be seen, as both nations seek to address the fallout from the incident.