Argentine President Javier Milei is sharing a bilateral meeting with Chilean leader José Antonio Kast, who chose the neighboring country for his first international trip as president after taking office on March 11.

Kast was greeted with a hug from Milei at the presidential palace, the Casa Rosada, on Monday at 10:15 a.m., after which they began their formal meeting.

On Sunday, Chilean Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna told the press that during the meeting the two right-wing leaders would discuss the development of joint projects in strategic areas such as mining, energy, border crossings, and control of organized crime. 

Kast arrived on Sunday night on board a Chilean Air Force plane and was welcomed with honors by Argentina’s Mounted Grenadiers Regiment or Granaderos — an elite army force in charge of presidential custody and ceremonial events — and international affairs secretary Fernando Brun.

Before meeting Milei, the Chilean leader shared a breakfast at his country’s embassy in Buenos Aires and made an offering in honor of General José de San Martín, a hero that fought for the independence of Argentina and several South American countries, including Chile.

Chilean presidents traditionally choose Argentina as their first destination for international trips due to the good relationship between both countries. Argentina is also one of Chile’s main trade partners.

A guerrillero on the run

Kast’s visit comes as Chile is under a commotion after former guerrilla member Galvarino Apablaza, who was seeking political refuge in Argentina, went on the run before he could be arrested. The Chilean foreign minister had said the trip would not be cancelled despite this situation.

Apablaza is accused of taking part in the murder of former right-wing senator Jaime Guzmán in 1991. He had escaped to Argentina in 1993 and was declared a political refugee in 2010. However, the judiciary revoked that status in February and ordered his arrest.

Police went to arrest him at his declared address on Wednesday and did not find him. The Argentine Security Ministry is offering a US$14,000 reward to anyone who can offer information that will help locate and arrest Apablaza.

Milei and Kast’s relationship

Milei and Kast share very similar views in terms of political ideology and economic policies and have a good relationship.

Along with Paraguay’s Santiago Peña, Kast became another ally for Milei to counter the influence of Brazil’s left-wing president Lula da Silva in the region, especially amid the Mercosur trade bloc.

Kast flew to Buenos Aires less than 48 hours after winning the election in December to meet Milei. That time they spoke about security issues, migratory policy and the trade between both countries.

During a far-right event after their meeting in December, Milei celebrated that “South America has awakened towards the ideas of freedom, away from the calamity of the 21st century socialism.”

Milei also attended Kast’s inauguration ceremony in early March.

© Buenos Aires Herald