The recent wildfires in the Argentine provinces of Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut, and Corrientes have sparked a heated debate between the country’s president, Javier Milei, and artist María Becerra. During one of her shows, Becerra criticized the situation, pointing out an alleged lack of assistance from the government in responding to the fires. She emphasized the need for concrete actions, stating that words alone are not enough and that the situation must be made visible. Becerra also called on people to take matters into their own hands, suggesting that if the state is not providing sufficient help, individuals should step in to support those affected.
The president responded to Becerra’s comments on the X platform, referring to her as “María Bcra,” a playful acronym that links her last name to the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic, an institution that Milei has been critical of and has promised to close during his campaign. In his response, Milei claimed that Becerra seemed unaware of the significant efforts being made by the national government to combat the fires. He went on to compare her to another artist, Lali Espósito, suggesting that both speak out on issues based on who is supporting them financially. Milei ended his statement by advising the two artists to base their comments on facts, saying “it would be good that if they speak, at least they do it based. Ciao!”
Government Response and Criticism
The exchange between Milei and Becerra highlights the ongoing debate about the government’s response to the wildfires and the role of public figures in speaking out on social issues. While the government has deployed significant resources to combat the fires, critics argue that more needs to be done to support those affected and to address the underlying causes of the wildfires. The situation has sparked a wider conversation about the responsibility of public figures to use their platforms to raise awareness and promote action on social issues.