Javier Milei calls UN a 'useless organization'

Argentine President Javier Milei called the United Nations a “useless organization” in a speech to the world body on Wednesday, accusing it of failing to protect collective security and human rights.

Milei said the UN had allowed “chaos, violence and international terrorism” to flourish and accused it of serving “arrogant parasites” in bureaucracy.

He also criticised the organisation over Argentina’s claim to the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory that Argentines call Las Malvinas and claim as their own. Argentina has accused Britain of flouting a UN resolution calling on both sides to avoid unilateral action in the islands. Argentina and Britain fought a war over the territory in 1982.

The speech came as Argentina and the United States announced a joint infrastructure initiative called the Andes-Atlantic Corridor. A joint statement said the plan aims to improve infrastructure and connect Argentina with major Atlantic ports and Western markets.

The statement said the corridor is intended to facilitate investment in transport, digital infrastructure, minerals and energy, including Vaca Muerta, a large hydrocarbon deposit in southern Argentina.