In a significant escalation of tensions, Spain declared the permanent withdrawal of its ambassador to Buenos Aires on Tuesday. The move comes in response to derogatory comments made by Argentine President Javier Milei about the wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The diplomatic row began after Milei insulted Begona Gomez, the wife of Prime Minister Sanchez, during a rally in Madrid organized by the far-right Vox party. In addition to the offensive remarks, Milei also disregarded the usual protocols of meeting with the king and prime minister during his visit.

Gomez has been under investigation by a court regarding allegations of influence peddling and business corruption made by an activist group. However, Madrid's prosecuting authority has appealed to drop the case due to a lack of evidence.

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed the permanent withdrawal of the ambassador, stating, "The ambassador will permanently stay in Madrid." He emphasized the government's obligation to defend the dignity and sovereignty of Spanish institutions, particularly when such aggression occurs in the capital.

Albares also announced that the embassy in Argentina would be headed by the charge d'affaires. He reiterated that, while ideological differences can be debated, there are certain lines that should not be crossed.

In a conciliatory gesture, Milei's spokesman, Manuel Adorni, stated that Argentina would not reciprocate by withdrawing its ambassador to Spain under any circumstances. Adorni emphasized the strong fraternal relations between the two countries and expressed that the idea of withdrawing an ambassador had never crossed their minds.

Javier Milei, a right-wing libertarian, had promoted his book alongside Vox leader Santiago Abascal and delivered a headline speech at Sunday's rally for the far-right opposition. The socialist government in Spain felt particularly insulted as they had provided special privileges to Milei during his visit, including allowing his plane to land at a military base and providing him with special police protection.

Responding to the diplomatic tension, Milei criticized the move as "an absurdity in diplomatic terms" and accused Pedro Sanchez of being arrogant and totalitarian. Milei also expressed his disappointment that Sanchez had endorsed his rival in the Argentine election and failed to congratulate him on his victory.

Despite previously demanding an apology from Spain, Milei stated that he would not respond in kind to the diplomatic rebuke. In his speech, he warned against the destructive ideas of socialism and criticized the potential abuse generated by such ideologies, making an allusion to Gomez's case by referring to "a corrupt wife."

The ongoing diplomatic spat between Spain and Argentina highlights the strain in their relations. The withdrawal of the Spanish ambassador underscores the seriousness of the situation, with both countries holding firm in their positions. The impact of this dispute on bilateral ties remains to be seen.