Richard Somonte, a Cuban artist who has lived in Madrid for the past five years, presented a giant portrait dedicated to Argentine President Javier Milei during a ceremony in the Spanish capital. The event took place at the Real Casino de Madrid, where Milei was awarded the Instituto Juan de Mariana Prize for his "exemplary defense of the ideas of liberty."
Somonte, 32, fled Cuba's communist regime and has since gained recognition for his portraits of notable figures, particularly his works dedicated to bullfighters. Jesús Huerta de Soto, an economist, presented the portrait and emphasized that Somonte is a fervent supporter of Milei's libertarian ideas.
"I have been a follower of Milei's ideas for about five years, since I arrived in Spain," Somonte stated. The painter explained that his interest in understanding the reasons behind the failure of socialism in Cuba led him to follow thinkers like Juan Ramón Rallo, Antonio Escohotado, and Javier Milei, known for his televised debates in Argentina.
In 2023, Somonte painted his first portrait of Milei, which was acquired by Huerta de Soto. He was later commissioned to create a large-format portrait to be presented at the Cena de la Libertad, where Milei was honored this past Saturday. Somonte expressed hope that Milei's libertarian project would serve as an example for Latin America, particularly Cuba, to overcome socialism.
During the anti-government protests in Cuba in July 2021, Somonte vehemently criticized the regime's repression, labeling it as a dictatorial and murderous regime.
On the same day, Milei also received the International Medal of the Community of Madrid, presented by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the president of the region. The most emotional moment of the night came when Milei, visibly moved, received Somonte's portrait with the famous Argentine phrase: "¡Viva la Libertad carajo!"
Key Moments and Figures in Richard Somonte's Tribute to Javier Milei
To provide a better understanding of the article, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers regarding the event and the people involved.
Who is Richard Somonte?
Richard Somonte is a Cuban artist who fled the communist regime and has been living in Madrid for the past five years. He is known for his portraits of notable figures, especially bullfighters.
Why did Richard Somonte dedicate a portrait to Javier Milei?
Somonte admires Milei's libertarian ideas and has been a follower of his philosophy since arriving in Spain. He believes Milei's project can serve as an example for overcoming socialism in Latin America, particularly in Cuba.
What awards did Javier Milei receive at the event?
Javier Milei received the Instituto Juan de Mariana Prize for his defense of liberty and the International Medal of the Community of Madrid, presented by Isabel Díaz Ayuso.