Milei presses Malvinas claim, slams 'useless' United Nations 'parasites' in speech

President Javier Milei attacked the United Nations in a fiery speech before the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, branding the body a “useless organisation” that “only serves to feed a caste of parasites.”

The UN “has become a useless organisation, serving only to feed a caste of fatally arrogant parasites disguised as well-meaning bureaucrats,” said Argentina’s leader, who accused the organisation, amongst other criticisms, of having committed “genocide” in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Milei, making this third address to the UNGA as head of state, dedicated much of his address to Argentina’s sovereignty claim over the Malvinas Islands, describing it as a “national cause” for his nation.

Painting the UN’s ability to intervene in the dispute as a symptom of its wider failings as a global force for good, Milei called on the United Kingdom to “restart negotiations” over the archipelago it calls the Falkland Islands and find a peaceful solution to the longstanding dispute between the nations.

“An organisation that set out to defend the territorial sovereignty of its members decided to look the other way regarding the situation of the Malvinas Islands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas,” he said, slamming the UN.

For Milei, the Malvinas cause is “proof of the distance that can exist between the words of international institutions and the reality on which they seek to act.”

“There is no shortage of words or resolutions; what is lacking is for them to have consequences, because an institution that cannot make its word carry weight in the face of facts loses the most important thing: it loses its authority. 

“Under this reality, those who follow the rules receive no reward for doing so, while those who break them face not the slightest retaliation,” the libertarian said.

Milei criticised the British government for an alleged “selective” interpretation of the principle of self-determination when it comes to the islands. He called for an explanation of how that position could be reconciled with debates over self-determination within its own territory, a reference to independence movements in the countries that make up the UK.

“We have chosen a peaceful, practical and effective defence” of our sovereignty claim,” said Milei.

“Argentina is not going to sit around waiting for the UN and the international community to live up to their own mandate. It will take action.”