Argentine President Javier Milei urged attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Paraguay not to “give up in the battle for ideas” in the wake of conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Milei was among the first to speak on the opening day of the CPAC Paraguay conference on Tuesday, following an address by CPAC President Matt Schlapp and his wife, Mercedes Schlapp.
Argentina’s leader used the opening moments of his speech to encourage the conservative gathering not to be intimidated by Kirk’s assassination.
He said Kirk was “one of the best disseminators of the ideas of freedom.”
Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on Sept. 10 while speaking to a crowd at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.
Turning Point USA has served as a platform for engaging young conservative political activists, particularly on college campuses around the United States.
Kirk routinely visited college campuses to engage in informal political debates with students, and was doing so at Utah Valley University when he was killed.
Milei further memorialized the slain conservative influencer as “a figure who never turned his back on open debate.”
“His death should not paralyze us. We have an obligation to stay ahead and not give up in the battle for ideas. Sooner or later, good and truth will triumph,” he said.
Following his opening tribute to Kirk, Milei went on to discuss recent economic reforms he has pursued in Argentina.
Milei has consistently promoted libertarian economic theories.
Since winning the election in 2023, the Argentine president has tried to cut government spending in his country.
Milei has faced recent setbacks. His sister has been the target of a corruption probe. Last week, Milei’s party also finished behind the opposition Peronist Party in the legislative election in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s largest province.
“May their courage and ingenuity serve as a guide to those we love, in the midst of this cultural battle between good and evil, exalting the values that made us prosperous.
“I want to once again remember Charlie Kirk and thank you all for being present.”