Argentine presidential candidate Milei goes to the opera — and meets both cheers and jeers

By DANIEL POLITI
Associated Press

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Both cheers and jeers for Argentina’s right-wing presidential candidate resounded with acoustic perfection inside the country’s legendary Colón Theater, laying bare the country’s polarization. The audience had gathered for a performance of “Madama Butterfly” — but Milei soon became the main event. A group began insulting him as he sat in the front row of a box alongside his girlfriend. Videos that Milei reposted on X, formerly Twitter, showed other attendees at the applauding him and asking for photos. The two candidates are no longer allowed to campaign before Sunday’s runoff but Milei’s appearance at the theater nevertheless thrust him into the spotlight.