Argentina’s President Javier Milei has decided not to attend the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for later this month in Johannesburg, South Africa—a move that has ignited diplomatic debate and underscored Buenos Aires’ growing political alignment with former U.S. President Donald Trump. The decision, confirmed by Argentine media, places Milei squarely in support of Trump’s controversial boycott of the high-profile international gathering.
Instead of traveling to Johannesburg, President Milei will send Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno and G20 negotiator Federico Pinedo to represent Argentina at the November 22–23 summit. The delegation will attend sessions and participate in discussions on behalf of the administration but without the symbolic weight of a presidential presence.
Sources within Argentina’s government told Clarín and La Nación that Milei’s decision was “in line with Washington’s position” and that the absence is meant to signal “political coherence” with Trump’s stance. While Buenos Aires has not issued an official statement, aides have privately indicated that the decision reflects President Milei’s deepening foreign policy ties with Washington and his personal admiration for Trump’s populist leadership style.
The United States’ decision to skip the G20—announced by President Trump earlier this month—was framed as a protest against what he described as “ongoing human-rights abuses against Afrikaner farmers” in South Africa. However, analysts and officials in Pretoria have strongly dismissed those claims as “baseless and inflammatory,” accusing Trump of exploiting a sensitive domestic issue for political gain.
President Javier Milei Joins Trump-Led Boycott of G20 Summit in South Africa
Milei’s withdrawal represents a setback for South Africa, which had been preparing to host the G20 summit for the first time—a historic milestone, as it marks the first time the event will be held on African soil. The absence of both the U.S. and Argentina threatens to overshadow the host nation’s moment of diplomatic prestige and could weaken the unity of the G20 bloc at a time of growing global divisions.
South African officials have not yet commented publicly on Milei’s decision. However, insiders at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) told local media that Pretoria views the boycott as “regrettable” and “counterproductive” to the spirit of multilateral cooperation.
The G20 summit is expected to focus on issues critical to the global economy—ranging from post-pandemic recovery and financial reform to climate change and sustainable energy transitions. With leaders such as China’s Xi Jinping, India’s Narendra Modi, and Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva already confirming their attendance, South Africa had hoped to use the platform to highlight Africa’s growing economic importance and advocate for a more equitable international financial system.
Milei’s decision to side with Washington reflects a broader reorientation in Argentina’s foreign policy. Since taking office, the libertarian president has signaled a clear pivot toward the United States and away from traditional multilateral and Latin American alliances. His administration has emphasized free-market reforms, pro-Western diplomacy, and skepticism toward global forums that he sees as dominated by bureaucratic consensus-building.
For many observers in Buenos Aires, skipping the G20 summit underscores Milei’s ideological alignment with Trump’s worldview—one that prioritizes bilateral relations and nationalist rhetoric over global cooperation. Political analyst Ricardo Rouvier commented, “This move shows Milei’s desire to project himself as part of a new right-wing axis aligned with Trump. It’s less about Argentina’s immediate interests and more about signaling ideological loyalty.”
Nevertheless, critics within Argentina have voiced concern that the boycott could isolate the country diplomatically. Former foreign minister Santiago Cafiero warned that refusing to engage in major multilateral discussions risks marginalizing Argentina at a moment when the G20 is central to shaping global trade, debt, and energy policies. “Argentina should be sitting at the table where the world’s decisions are made,” Cafiero said. “Walking away does not strengthen our sovereignty—it weakens it.
The boycott has also drawn sharp criticism across the international community. European diplomats expressed disappointment at both Trump and Milei’s withdrawal, saying it undermines the G20’s founding principle of fostering dialogue among major economies despite political differences.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, government spokespersons and political commentators accused the U.S. of weaponizing misinformation to delegitimize the country’s leadership. Pretoria has repeatedly refuted claims of widespread attacks on white farmers, calling them “isolated criminal incidents” rather than racially motivated campaigns.
For South Africa, hosting the G20 was meant to be a defining moment—a chance to showcase Africa’s capacity to lead on issues like sustainable development, digital transformation, and fair trade. Milei’s absence, alongside Washington’s boycott, risks diluting that message and casting a shadow over what was intended as a unifying event for the Global South.
Despite the diplomatic fallout, preparations for the G20 summit in Johannesburg are proceeding as planned. Over a dozen world leaders have confirmed their participation, and agenda papers reveal a strong focus on addressing the debt crisis affecting developing nations, global tax reform, and strategies to reduce inequality.
Whether Milei’s absence will influence future Argentine participation in global institutions remains to be seen. However, the move clearly signals a new era in Argentina’s diplomacy—one defined less by traditional alliances and more by ideological alignment with Trump’s populist resurgence.
As the world’s eyes turn to Johannesburg later this month, Argentina’s empty chair may speak volumes—reflecting not just a boycott, but a broader shift in the global balance of political loyalties and priorities.
Source- Byo24
