Another blunder by Orsi abroad, calls for more government alongside Milei

When asked about Javier Milei's brilliant role at the Mercosur summit —the only glimpse of common sense the bloc has had in three decades—, Yamandú Orsi avoided acknowledging that the Argentine president achieved in just six months what Mercosur failed to accomplish in thirty years: opening the debate, signing concrete agreements, and placing economic freedom at the center as the driving force for regional integration.

Orsi shamefully insisted on the need to promote economic growth and sustainable development, but always subordinated to the progressive rhetoric of equity and social justice, concepts that for decades have only served to plunge Latin America into misery.

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Since taking office, Orsi has tried to meet with Milei, but the Argentine leader doesn't waste time. At this summit, the Frente Amplio member didn't miss the opportunity and, almost begging for a gesture of attention, once again invited the libertarian to visit Uruguay.

Milei accomplished in 6 months what Mercosur couldn't in 30 years

On July 3, 2025, the historic Palacio San Martín in Buenos Aires hosted the LXVI Meeting of the Common Market Council and the Mercosur and Associated States Presidents' Summit. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Brazil), Santiago Peña (Paraguay), Yamandú Orsi (Uruguay), Luis Arce (Bolivia), Javier Milei (Argentina), and delegations from the associated states gathered there to discuss the present and future of the bloc.

Argentina's pro tempore presidency began on December 6, 2024, at the 65th Montevideo Summit, when Luis Lacalle Pou handed over leadership to Javier Milei, in accordance with the semiannual rotation established in the founding treaties. This marked the beginning of a period defined by ideological tensions, since Milei's libertarian administration in Argentina was also reflected in his leadership of Mercosur.

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This time, Javier Milei handed over the pro tempore presidency to the ultra-progressive Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, ending his temporary leadership with a forceful speech. He harshly criticized Mercosur's deviation from its founding objectives, reaffirming the same concerns he had expressed in his exceptional speech before the United Nations in September 2024.

Mercosur: less and less of a market and of commonality

Milei argued that Mercosur, far from remaining true to its founding principles, shifted toward protectionist practices, benefiting specific business sectors and harming consumers and ordinary citizens.

Elephantine bureaucracy

Milei questioned the bloc's high administrative costs, criticizing its internal operations: "At the same time, the organization demanded that we bear the cost of financing a bureaucratic structure, now already elephantine, dedicated to endless meetings."

During his pro tempore presidency, Milei revived the bloc's original spirit: trade openness. Another notable achievement was the signing of the trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), a bloc made up of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

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Upon concluding his temporary term at the head of Mercosur, Milei made it clear that Argentina's agenda toward economic freedom will not stop, despite the obstacles posed by regional progressivism. Economic freedom will not be negotiated, with or without the bloc.

Mercosur returns to ultra-progressive decline

With the Brazilian dictator in charge, Mercosur once again distances itself from the economic openness and trade integration proposed by Javier Milei. Once again, freedom doesn't advance.