Argentine President delivers combative speech to Congress, tensions with Vice President visible

Argentine President Javier Milei delivered a highly confrontational speech to open the legislative year in Congress. He repeatedly insulted opposition lawmakers, calling them "thieves," "coup plotters," and "murderers," and traded barbs with Kirchnerist and leftist legislators who interrupted him.

During the event, a visibly cold interaction occurred between Milei and Vice President Victoria Villarruel, who presides over the Senate. Milei made a pointed remark about her "dreaming of the Rivadavia seat," a reference to the presidential office. Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni later stated that Villarruel "is not part of the government," justifying the president's right to respond as he saw fit.