Argentinian President Javier Milei said he would “warmly welcome” New Yorkers escaping the “communist” rule of incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani , during a speech at a Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) event in Florida last week.
Milei warned that New York risks repeating Argentina’s past economic failures under socialist policies. “If things get tough, they’ll always be welcome in our land if they seek to prosper,” he said.
Mamdani, a Muslim Democratic Socialist, recently won New York’s mayoral election after pledging to freeze rents, raise taxes on the “wealthy” and make public transport and childcare free. Critics say his plans are unrealistic without state approval.
Known for his fiery rhetoric and symbolic “chainsaw” against government spending, Milei has become a global icon of libertarian politics. His remarks come as Argentina begins to recover from a deep economic crisis following his austerity reforms and his party’s strong performance in recent elections.
