Buenos Aires Herald 
Javier Milei’s surprising win in Argentina’s national primaries has garnered support from several right-wing politicians worldwide. Former Chilean presidential candidate José Antonio Kast, Brazilian national deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro — son of former President Jair Bolsonaro — and Spanish national deputy and VOX leader Santiago Abascal were among those who congratulated the libertarian economist, hailing his win as a triumph of “freedom” and the first step towards “change” in Argentina.
“Milei wins the primaries in Argentina. It would have been a victory if he had gotten 25% of the vote, he got 30%,” posted Eduardo Bolsonaro. “[…] A year ago it was a dream, then it became a goal and now it’s a reality. A huge start to what could become the real change Argentina needs.” He uploaded a picture of himself alongside Milei and Kast, the right-wing Chilean politician who also saluted the leader of La Libertad Avanza (LLA) for his Sunday win in the country’s primaries, known as PASO.
“Historic @jmilei victory in the PASO. All the support from Chile for the tough battle that lies ahead. For Argentina’s sake, may the strength of freedom triumph, and corruption, insecurity and mediocrity be defeated,” posted Kast, who lost the 2021 Chile election in a run-off against current President Gabriel Boric.
Bolsonaro and Kast are known for their extreme right-wing positions and economic liberalism. Bolsonaro, who was first elected as national deputy for São Paulo in 2014, is a proponent of lowering the age for criminal prosecution and looser gun regulations. In 2016, he introduced a bill proposing adherence to communism be criminalized, comparing it to nazism. He is also a vocal opponent of feminism and same-sex marriage.
José Antonio Kast is considered a supporter of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, the military general who overthrew democratically elected President Salvador Allende in 1973 and installed a brutal regime that lasted until 1990. During his 2021 presidential campaign, he vowed to reduce government spending, eliminate the Women’s Ministry and lower the age of prosecution.
Kast, Bolsonaro and Milei are also close to Spanish national deputy Santiago Abascal, the leader of right-wing party VOX who also welcomed the libertarian’s victory in the primaries.
“Congratulations Javier, and good for Argentina,” Abascal wrote, quote-posted a publication from the VOX account congratulating Milei on his win against “the most radical left.” VOX is a far right party that opposes immigration and advocates for a stronger rule of law and the unity of Spain, against all separatist factions.
The X account of Bolivia’s former de facto President Jeanine Añez, who is currently in jail for her involvement in the coup against Evo Morales in 2019, also expressed her satisfaction with the results of Sunday’s elections.
“Two thirds of Argentines in the PASO said they don’t want a government that keeps dragging them to economic disaster, misery, insecurity, drug [trafficking], abuse of power and injustice like in Bolivia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Congratulations Argentina! The path is through unity!”
