The Ushuaia City Council voted six to four to declare President Javier Milei "persona non grata" due to his controversial statements regarding the sovereignty of the Malvina Islands. The initiative was presented by Councilwoman Daiana Freiberger of Provincia Grande, who strongly questioned the president's position.
Yesterday's session of the Deliberative Council marked a moment of great controversy with the approval of the declaration of President Javier Milei as "persona non grata" due to his recent statements against Argentine interests regarding the Malvina Islands.
The proposal was presented by Councilwoman Daiana Freiberger, who, in response to Milei's speech during the commemoration of the 43rd anniversary of the war, expressed her condemnation of the president's statements.
In addition to proposing self-determination , allowing the Kelpers to decide whether they want to belong to the British Empire or join the Argentine nation, Milei had stated in his speech that "the most important vote is the one cast with your feet," referring to the Malvina Islanders, suggesting that they might one day vote to join Argentina.
This position was rejected by Freiberger, who described it as "subservience to British interests" and a denial of Argentine sovereignty over the islands.
In her proposal, Freiberger detailed Javier Milei's previous actions, which she believes favor British interests, such as his lack of support for the Malvinas Islands cause at official events, his push for militarization on the islands, and his position on the islanders' rights. The councilor also highlighted how these actions contravene Argentina's national doctrine on the territorial integrity of Argentina, enshrined in the Constitution.
The "Fuegian caste" voted against
The City Council's vote resulted in six votes in favor of the initiative and four against. Voting in favor were representatives of the Partido Juventud (PJ), the Fuegian Popular Movement (Múvilho Popular Fueguino), and Daiana Freiberger herself. Voting against were Councilwoman Belén Monte de Oca (La Libertad Avanza), Fernando Oyarzún (FORJA), Valter Tavarone (Somos Fueguinos), and Vladimir Espeche (Múvilho Popular Fueguino).
With this resolution, Ushuaia joined the ranks of those rejecting Milei's position regarding the Malvina Islands, marking a difference with the national government on a highly sensitive issue for the province.
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