BOGOTA, Colombia

Argentina’s president is attempting to turn his country into a US colony, said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, accusing him of doing Washington’s “dirty work.”

Javier Milei “is doing the dirty work to turn Argentina into a US colony. Argentina is a strong country for the continent, and it has always been,” said Maduro, speaking at a weekly press conference.

On Nov. 21 last year, "the neo-Nazi extreme right won," said Maduro, referring to Milei’s victory in Argentina’s presidential elections.

Maduro stressed the need for a strong Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil for the future of Latin America, calling for unity to defeat right-wing policies.

“I always say to the Argentine people: The people of America trust you, Argentinians, and the people of America expect a lot from you...in the tradition of (Latin American liberator) Jose de San Martin, (Argentine President) Juan Domingo Peron and (Argentina’s first lady) Evita Peron,” he added.

Milei emphasized in a statement to the Univision television network that he would not engage in dialogue with Maduro.

"I have nothing to talk about with Nicolas Maduro because he is a dictator to me," he said.

He also commented on Venezuela’s presidential elections scheduled for July 28, saying: "It seems to me that they will control the election results because the regime is holding the election for its own existence."

Milei has repeatedly accused Maduro of being a "dictator" and has declared his full support for Venezuela’s opposition parties.

*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul