Argentine President Javier Milei came under attack with stones on Wednesday evening while heading to a party gathering in Buenos Aires Province, ahead of local and legislative elections. Milei escaped unharmed, though security personnel were compelled to rapidly evacuate him from the scene.
🇦🇷 Javier Milei é retirado às pressas de uma carreata da campanha eleitoral após ser alvo de pedras e garrafas atiradas pela população. pic.twitter.com/Ty8auucvSf
— Eixo Político (@eixopolitico) August 27, 2025
The confrontation unfolded in Lomas de Zamora, south of Buenos Aires – a historic bastion of the Peronist movement representing the primary opposition to Milei. The president was standing in an open pickup vehicle alongside his sister, Karina, and his chief of staff, as crowds started hurling rocks, bottles, and assorted items toward them. At the same time, clashes erupted between his backers and detractors, with cries of "Out Milei" audible throughout.
At the very least, one rock struck the truck's hood, as additional projectiles passed over Milei and the security staff members. The president had to rapidly crouch inside the truck, and the driver sped up, attempting to flee – interrupting the scheduled campaign gathering. During the turmoil, Congressman José Luis Espert was observed escaping on a motorcycle without wearing a helmet.
Trading blame
Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni blamed backers of former president Cristina Kirchner for the assault, labeling the protesters "militants from outdated politics" displaying "a primitive violence pattern from bygone eras." Security Minister Patricia Bullrich alleged Kirchner's faction "coordinated an assault on the president while jeopardizing the citizens and households who arrived to support him."
Kirchner, found guilty of corruption in June and currently under home confinement, remains regarded as the most powerful figure within the anti-Milei opposition, even though she has been excluded from political activities.
Assault emerges during corruption claims
The accusations risk implicating the president's closest associates. In an audio leak from the previous week, the director of the disability support agency is allegedly heard detailing a kickback scheme that allegedly benefits Milei's sister, Karina, and her consultant. The supposed scheme made the agency's service provision contingent upon payments to a drug firm, which channeled portions of earnings to Milei's family members.
Following this, Diego Spangouolo was dismissed, the agency director and Milei's former attorney, who was allegedly recorded alerting the president to the kickback operation emerging within his administration.
Milei, who managed to drastically lower inflation levels, is gearing up for legislative midterm votes coming in October. He aims to bolster his strength in both parliamentary chambers in what is viewed as the initial ballot box challenge of his transformative administration.
The present controversy may especially harm the president, who gained office riding widespread outrage over graft within Argentina's political class, combined with difficult sentiments from segments of citizens affected by his stringent fiscal policies.
Milei posted subsequently, including an image of the rock aimed at him: "Civilization or barbarism, never again Kirchnerism. The end."
