Argentina’s President Javier Milei launched a sharp attack on the UK during a speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. He accused Britain of imprisoning its own citizens for exposing crimes committed by Muslim migrants. His remarks echoed recent claims made by billionaire Elon Musk and added to a growing global debate over immigration, free speech, and “woke ideology”.
Speaking to an international audience, Mr Milei said the “winds of change are blowing in the West” and called for a cure to what he described as the “mental virus of woke ideology” that has “colonized institutions”. He argued that “woke-ism has distorted the issue of immigration” and claimed it suppresses debate through censorship and legal pressure.
Referring directly to the UK, Mr Milei said, “Is it not true that right now as we speak, in the UK, citizens are being imprisoned for exposing horrifying crimes committed by Muslim migrants? Crimes that the Government seeks to conceal?”
He did not provide details or specific cases to support the claim.
🚨BREAKING: Argentinian PM Javier Milei at the Davos conference:
“Is it not true that as we speak, in the UK, citizens are being imprisoned for exposing horrifying crimes committed by Muslim migrants? Crimes that the Government seeks to conceal?” 💥 pic.twitter.com/MSXYzNLoNi
— Inevitable West (@Inevitablewest) January 23, 2025
Woke ideology, Musk, and global allies
Mr Milei’s comments came shortly after Elon Musk publicly criticised British authorities for jailing individuals over social media posts linked to last summer’s riots. Some of those posts allegedly incited violence. Mr Musk has also claimed that figures like Tommy Robinson, founder of the English Defence League, are “political prisoners”. Mr Milei has openly praised Musk and described him as a “dear friend”.
During his speech, the Argentine president accused Davos delegates of being the “ideologues of [woke] barbarity”. He questioned European calls for content moderation and said, “Actually, there is no censorship but rather this idea that you need to silence those who don’t partake in the woke ideology?”
Mr Milei also defended an “innocent” hand gesture made by Mr Musk at Donald Trump’s inauguration, which many compared to a Nazi salute. He said the gesture only showed “his gratitude to the people”.
The Argentine leader praised several right-wing leaders, including Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Giorgia Meloni, Viktor Orban, and Nayib Bukele. He claimed an international alliance is forming among nations that “want to be free”.
Responding to the criticism, a UK government spokesman said, “This government is absolutely committed to freedom of speech.”
He added that authorities will act firmly against “hateful, illegal content” and said social media companies must remove content that spreads harm.
Mr Milei’s speech has drawn strong reactions and is likely to deepen tensions around immigration and free speech debates in Europe.