Argentina’s President Javier Milei has replaced Foreign Minister Diana Mondino after she voted to lift the US embargo on Cuba at the UN. Milei, advocating a pro-US stance, seeks to distance Argentina from leftist nations. Gerardo Werthein will succeed Mondino.

President Javier Milei of Argentina has dismissed Foreign Affairs Minister Diana Mondino following her vote to support the lifting of the US embargo against Cuba during a United Nations assembly. Shortly after taking office in late 2023, the libertarian leader implemented a foreign policy strongly aligned with the United States and has taken measures to isolate Argentina from leftist allies, including Cuba and Venezuela. Mondino, one of Milei’s initial cabinet members, played a vital role in fostering relations with international partners amidst Milei’s contentious comments about nations like Brazil and China. In a twist of events, while dining, Milei received a call from Gerardo Werthein, who inquired about the vote in favor of the embargo lift, leading to the president’s ire. The UN General Assembly’s non-binding resolution against the embargo was overwhelmingly supported by member states, with only the United States and Israel opposing it. Following Mondino’s dismissal, Werthein has been appointed as her successor as Foreign Minister.

The backdrop of this political maneuvering is the lingering US embargo against Cuba, which has been in place for decades and has been a subject of international criticism. Argentina’s position on this issue is particularly notable under President Milei, who has forthrightly declared his intention for Argentina to align closely with US policies and to distance itself from nations like Cuba and Venezuela. The relationship with Cuba has already been fragile; earlier this year, Argentina’s state energy company YPF ceased fuel provisions for the Cuban airline, contributing to operational disruptions.

In summation, President Milei’s decisive action to replace Foreign Affairs Minister Diana Mondino underscores his commitment to a pro-US foreign policy and his administration’s intention to distance Argentina from leftist allies. This decision coincides with a notable moment in the UN where the call to end the US embargo against Cuba was made. As Argentina transitions its foreign relations stance, this dismissal may indicate the administration’s broader strategy as it seeks alignment with Western ideologies while navigating regional dynamics.

Original Source: edition.cnn.com

Related posts:

Argentina’s Diplomatic Shift: A New Direction Under Milei Argentina’s Unprecedented ‘No’ Vote at the UN Marks Shift in Foreign Policy Argentina’s Surprising ‘No’ Vote at the UN: A Shift Towards Far-Right Policies Biden’s Undershadowed Presence at APEC: China Emerges Dominant in Latin America