The presidents of Argentina and El Salvador, Javier Milei and Nayib Bukele, are among the conservative leaders who are set to take part in the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), which begins on Wednesday in the United States.
Both of them have risen in popularity across the region and beyond, and become icons of right-wing politics as a result of their rhetoric and policy approaches to issues such as security and the economy.
It is likely both will coincide with former U.S. president and likely candidate in this year's elections, Donald Trump, who is set to deliver the keynote address. Milei, who has openly expressed his admiration for Trump, will travel to the country right after meeting with the current administration's Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
According to CPAC, Milei's address will be focused in the "fight against socialism and corruption in his country." "He will deliver a strong message to the Hispanic community within the U.S. about protecting their freedoms and families."
Confirmed Speaker: President Javier Milei for CPAC in DC 2024
— CPAC (@CPAC) February 15, 2024
Join us February 21 - 24 for CPAC in DC!
Sign-up at https://t.co/HBJXtWihZF pic.twitter.com/Lt7hy1hUUO
Milei this week also met with U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, from Florida, in Argentina. Rubio's office said that his trip took place at a time in which "the Biden administration does not prioritize the region and turns its back on its allies."
Bukele did not anticipate the content of his speech, but it is likely to revolve around his reelection, where he secured almost 85% of the vote and a supermajority in Congress.
Electoral officials announced that the New Ideas party secured 54 out of the 60 congressional seats, with three additional seats won by allied parties. Even before the final results were announced, Bukele said, "El Salvador has broken all the records of all democracies in the entire history of the world. Never has a project won with the number of votes we have won today. It is literally the highest percentage in all of history," AP News reported.
On the other hand, The Economist's Democracy Index determined that El Salvador was the country that saw the largest backslide in this area last year, a result of the "increasingly authoritarian rule and unconstitutional re-election bid of the president, Nayib Bukele." The president has largely dismissed the concerns, going on offense and touting the country's results on security issues instead.
Other international leaders who are set to speak at the conference, to be held at the Gaylord Resort and Conference Center between February 21 and 24, are: Spanish right-wing party Vox's Santiago Abascal, former British Prime Minister Liz Truss, Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage and Mexican actor Eduardo Verástegui.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
