JUNE 20, 2025 — Argentina commemorated its national Flag Day today with ceremonies honouring the country’s most enduring symbol of unity. However, this year’s events were marked by political division, as President Javier Milei and Vice President Victoria Villarruel led separate tributes in different cities, La Nación reports.
The central ceremony traditionally held at the National Flag Memorial in Rosario proceeded without the president, who cited scheduling conflicts.
Instead, Villarruel represented the national government at the historic site. Speaking to local media, Villarruel emphasized the symbolic importance of her presence: “There is no better place to be on Flag Day than Rosario, where the flag was born.”
Flag Day commemorates the death of General Manuel Belgrano in 1820, the creator of the Argentine national flag, says Clarín. The symbol, first raised in 1812 during Argentina’s war for independence, features three horizontal bands of light blue and white, with a golden sun at its centre. The day is observed annually with tributes across the country, most prominently in Rosario, home to the Monumento Histórico Nacional a la Bandera.
President Milei instead led a separate ceremony in Buenos Aires at the Campo Argentino de Polo, where he administered the oath of allegiance to members of the armed forces. Flanked by several cabinet members, Milei praised the military’s service and criticized past administrations for weakening defence capabilities.
The separate appearances by the president and vice president added to ongoing speculation about tensions within the administration. The two leaders have not made a public appearance together since July 2024.
Despite the political overtones, the heart of the day remained its tribute to Argentina’s national symbol. “My message to the Argentine people is always one of unity,” Villarruel said in Rosario. “As Belgrano once suggested, many of our problems would be resolved more quickly if we had a little more interest in our country.”
