Argentina’s President Javier Milei dismissed Foreign Minister Diana Mondino after the country voted at the U.N. in favor of lifting the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The dismissal relates to Milei’s administration advocating for a foreign policy opposed to dictatorial regimes, fostering closer ties with the U.S. and Israel, and reaffirming commitments to human rights. Gerardo Werthein has been appointed the new foreign minister as the government initiates an internal review to identify opposing agendas within the ministry.
On Wednesday, October 10, 2023, the President of Argentina, Javier Milei, dismissed Foreign Minister Diana Mondino shortly after Argentina voted in favor of lifting the United States’ economic embargo on Cuba during the U.N. General Assembly session. The president appointed Gerardo Werthein, Argentina’s ambassador to the U.S., as her successor, as confirmed by Milei’s spokesperson, Manuel Adorni, on the social media platform X. The displacement of Mondino occurred against the backdrop of Argentina’s vote wherein 187 nations expressed their support for a resolution condemning the U.S. embargo of Cuba, with only the U.S. and Israel opposing it. The President’s office later asserted that the dismissal was indeed linked to the vote, articulating that the Argentine government maintains a resolute opposition to the Cuban regime and is committed to a foreign policy that denounces violations of human rights globally. Notably, since his election in December 2023, President Milei has realigned Argentina’s foreign policy closer to U.S. and Israeli interests, notably expressing unwavering support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This stance starkly contrasts with numerous countries in Latin America, including Bolivia and Colombia, that have severed ties with Israel, while several others, including Brazil, have withdrawn their ambassadors. Monsido’s tenure as Foreign Minister has been marked by challenges, including a recent incident in which her office mistakenly classified the Falklands as “Falklands” rather than the preferred Argentinian term “Malvinas.” Additionally, her visit to China to enhance bilateral relations attracted criticism due to her remarks suggesting that all Chinese individuals have the same physical appearance. In response to ongoing challenges, Milei’s government plans to conduct an internal review of the Foreign Relations Ministry to identify elements promoting agendas in direct opposition to the concept of freedom.
The recent dismissal of Foreign Minister Diana Mondino by President Javier Milei occurs within a broader context of Argentina’s shifting foreign relations, particularly concerning U.S. and Israeli interests following Milei’s administration’s commencement in December 2023. This period has been characterized by a stark realignment towards supporting right-leaning political stances, particularly in relation to Israel’s actions in Gaza, which have diverged from the generally more left-leaning regional attitudes prevalent in many Latin American nations. Argentina’s latest vote at the U.N. against the U.S. embargo of Cuba illustrates a continued engagement with issues of international diplomacy while balancing domestic and international expectations around human rights.
The firing of Diana Mondino by President Javier Milei immediately following Argentina’s U.N. vote to end the U.S. embargo on Cuba underscores the administration’s commitment to its foreign policy objectives, which favor U.S. and Israeli positions. This dismissal aligns with Milei’s broader strategy to firmly establish Argentina’s stance on human rights issues while actively distancing from what he regards as dictatorial regimes. The events reflect the complex nature of international diplomacy in which national policies are often influenced by geopolitical circumstances and internal political dynamics. Ultimately, the government’s planned audit of the Foreign Relations Ministry highlights an ongoing effort to refine and align foreign policy in adherence to this newly articulated vision.
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