The Argentine president Javier Milei recorded a video addressed to the voters of Miami to support the re-election of Republican congresswoman María Elvira Salazar to the United States Congress, coinciding with the first day of early voting in Miami-Dade.
The message, shared by Salazar herself on her X account this Monday, shows Milei describing the legislator as "one of the most steadfast and respected voices on the continent" who defends "freedom, democracy, the free market, and the right of every person to thrive through their own efforts."
"We need leaders in Washington who understand Latin America, confront socialist leftists, and fearlessly denounce the horrors and deaths that socialism has left in its wake," stated the Argentine president in the 40-second clip, which concluded with his signature phrase: "Long live freedom, damn it!"
Salazar expressed gratitude for the gesture and framed it as an ideological alliance: "Freedom unites us. I am honored to receive the support of President Javier Milei for my reelection to the United States Congress."
The congresswoman is seeking a fourth consecutive term in Florida's 27th District, which includes Miami, Little Havana, Coral Gables, Kendall, Cutler Bay, and Key Biscayne, where 73.5% of residents are Hispanic and more than half were born outside the United States.
His rival is the Democrat Eliott Rodríguez, a former CBS Miami anchor and the son of Cuban parents. The contest is considered one of the most competitive of the midterm election cycle: an internal poll cited by EFE showed both candidates tied at 45% each, although the firm Decision Desk HQ calculated a 76% chance that Salazar will retain the seat.
In fundraising, the Republican holds an advantage with approximately $2.4 million compared to $1.3 million for her opponent, according to data as of September 30.
Milei's support comes at a time of some internal tension for Salazar within the Republican Party.
In September, the legislator published a bilingual announcement in front of the White House criticizing Trump’s immigration policies for having "gone too far," which caused tensions with the administration, although the president continued to support the congresswoman.
The endorsement from the Argentine leader adds to a chain of Latin American support from a liberal-conservative profile: the Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado endorsed her on October 16, and Colombian leader Abelardo de la Espriella did so two days earlier. Trump, for his part, had formally given his full support to Salazar's reelection in February of this year.
The video by Milei was produced just a day after the Argentine president concluded a tour of Washington, where he pointed to Cuba, Venezuela, and Argentina as examples of socialist failure and called on Latin American leaders to create "a true shield against socialism" alongside Trump.
The general elections in Florida's District 27 are scheduled for November 3, 2026.
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