During a recent session in the National Congress, President Javier Milei had an embarrassing outburst, while Vice President Victoria Villarruel, seated behind him, displayed an ambiguous facial expression that the columnist interprets as serene contempt. The television broadcast on national chain captured this moment, comparing it to the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa. The episode highlights tensions in Argentine politics.
In a column published in Perfil, the author describes an incident that took place the other night in Argentina's National Congress. According to the text, President Javier Milei lost control during his speech, resulting in an 'embarrassing uncontrolled outburst' in front of Vice President Victoria Villarruel, who was seated just one or two meters behind him. Villarruel displayed an 'ambiguous rictus of smile and no smile,' which the columnist describes as an expression of 'serene contempt'.
The television broadcast initially tried to frame the shot to hide her face, but this highlighted her décolletage, leading to her full expression being shown on the national chain. The author compares this ambiguity to the smile of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, noting that, like in the painting, perception varies: she seems to smile or look serious depending on the view.
Meanwhile, a group of ministers and advisors close to Milei laughed openly, showing a different kind of contempt, described as that of a 'group of buddies' where one acts as a buffoon to entertain the rest. The columnist reflects on whether life imitates art, quoting Oscar Wilde, and mentions the book 'Fascismo cosplay' by Luis Ignacio García, which addresses dilemmas on how to respond to political provocations.
Literary references to Jorge Luis Borges are also made, such as the character Dahlmann in 'El sur,' facing the need to react or not to provocations, and Vincent Moon in 'La forma de la espada,' with the phrase 'now despise me.' The text concludes that the episode indicates something despicable in the political scene, suggesting that one day it can be collectively despised.
