Spain has said it is pulling its ambassador from Argentina in response to comments made by Argentine President Javier Milei.

Mr Milei accused the Spanish prime minister’s wife of corruption and described socialism as “cursed and carcinogenic”.

Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares told reporters that the Spanish ambassador to Argentina “will definitely stay in Madrid”.

“Argentina will continue without an ambassador,” he said.

Mr Milei responded angrily to the move, saying the withdrawal was “nonsense typical of an arrogant socialist”.

“Socialists are capable of doing anything,” he added.

The decision further escalates a diplomatic spat between the Spanish and Argentine governments.

Tensions have been building for weeks. Spain’s government had summoned its ambassador for consultations and demanded an apology from Mr Milei after the leader slammed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his wife at a rally in Madrid Sunday.

On Monday Mr Milei said he would apologise for his criticism “under no circumstances”.