National officials and leading voices from social media platforms identified with La Libertad Avanza (LLA) have launched a new political grouping to “defend the ideals” of President Javier Milei.
"Las fuerzas del cielo” or “The forces of heaven" has the main objective of defending the Javier Milei Presidency and its ideas, according to its organisers. But the style, tone and rhetoric of the event has sparked concern among opposition lawmaker.
Online influencer turned streamer Daniel Parisini, known widely as ‘Gordo Dan,’ was one of event’s key organisers and speakers.
Raising eyebrows from government critics, he described the new grouping as the “armed branch” of the LLA libertarians in his speech.
“This is the Praetorian Guard of President Javier Milei. We are his most loyal soldiers who were there from the start and will be there at the end, defending the ideals of our leader Javier Milei and his vision of the country,” declared Parisini.
The launch in the Greater Buenos Aires locality of San Miguel was attended by libertarian writer Agustín Laje, Buenos Aires Province deputy Agustín Romo, Cults & Civilisation Secretary Nahuel Sotelo, national deputy Santiago Santurio (LLA-Buenos Aires Province), University Policy Undersecretary Alejandro Álvarez, among others.
The idea behind Las Fuerzas del Cielo is to train leaders who can defend the project headed by Milei in public nationwide.
Sotelo, one of the orators last Saturday night, underlined the importance of winning "the cultural battle" in Argentina in order to consign to the past discussions like Agenda 2030, the environment and other issues which interest “the left."
Romo declared: "Do you know why we have achieved what we have? Because victory in war does not depend on the number of soldiers but on the forces which come from heaven."
Parallel to the rally, a website was launched to register interested parties and connect them with local “trainers” who can help them spread the libertarian word.
Criticisms
The launch of the event sparked criticism for its violent rhetoric and symbology associated with authoritarian movements like the Nazi regime or the fascism of Benito Mussolini.
Onstage, behind a lectern, were red banners hung with golden letters spelling out slogans and symbols. As well as a four-spoked cross (similar to the Iron Cross used by the Nazi regime) were the words "property," "liberty," "life," "God," "fatherland" and "family," as well as the slogan: "Argentina será el faro que ilumina el mundo (“Argentina will be the beacon lighting up the world”).”
Yet it was Parisini’s definition of the new grouping as “the armed branch of La Libertad Avanza” that has aroused the most alarm among opposition deputies.
Among those criticising the rhetoric were leaders from the centrist Coalición Cívica-ARI, which questioned the self-proclaimed shock troops of the government. Party leader Maximiliano Ferraro warned about the danger of ambiguous attitudes towards democracy, quoting authors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt and their description of "semi-loyal democrats" – people who, although saying that they support democracy, ignore or justify violent or anti-democratic actions.
Socialist deputy Esteban Paulón called on Security Minister Patricia Bullrich to investigate the statements of Las Fuerzas del Cielo, describing them as potential instigation to violence or urban terrorism. “Argentina is a country at peace and with a democratic society,” and requesting immediate action.
Unión por la Patria lower house caucus chief Germán Martínez recalled previous statements to A24 radio, describing the approach as fascist.
“I said it then and reaffirm it today: this is fascism. Enough of underestimating the violence of Milei and his entourage. The courts must act urgently before it’s too late,” he said.
– TIMES/PERFIL
