(FILES) Argentina's President Javier Milei gestures from the balcony of Casa Rosada presidential palace after a Te Deum marking the 216th anniversary of the May Revolution that led to Argentina's independence from Spain, in Buenos Aires on May 25, 2026. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP)
Buenos Aires, Argentina: Argentine President Javier Milei on Thursday demanded a bar on foreigners who express "hate" toward the Latin American country.
The decree published by the presidency -- which requires parliamentary approval -- would bar or expel foreigners deemed to have "spread or incited hate messages" against the country or its people.
In a statement, Milei said the measure was in response to "recent displays of hostility against the Argentine republic and Argentines."
The decree states that it does not impinge on constitutionally protected rights to express political, academic or ideological disagreements.
On Sunday, Milei lashed out at Brazil, Mexico and the US Democratic Party over what he claimed was an "anti-Argentine campaign" -- apparently in reference to widespread criticism of the national football team's performance in the World Cup final.
World football body FIFA is investigating the behavior of several Argentina players in the loss to Spain, including alleged assault and unsporting behavior.
FIFA will also investigate an incident following Argentina's 2-1 semi-final victory over England in which players held up a banner that read: "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" (The Falklands are Argentine).
