The Argentine president, Javier Milei, announced this Monday his intention to fire “all” those who participated in the decision to vote in favor of Cuba at the UN. This occurs after a restructuring in the Foreign Ministry, since it considers them “traitors to the country.”
Foreign policy is set by the president. I am here to fire all the people involved in that decision. They are directly traitors to the country. “We are looking at the legal format by which to fire them and make them pay,” he said.
Favorable vote for Cuba at the UN
On Wednesday of last week, Argentina joined 186 other countries in the UN General Assembly to form a large majority that approved a non-binding resolution against US sanctions on Cuba. These sanctions, which have been in force for 62 years, have seriously affected the island’s economy.
Argentina’s vote did not represent any change compared to the positions that the South American country had adopted in previous assemblies on the same resolution.
However, Milei, who took office on December 10, 2023, has decided that his government’s foreign policy is aligned with the United States and Israel, the only two countries that voted against the UN resolution.
Argentina’s vote at the UN, which went against Milei’s will, led to the replacement of the then foreign minister, Diana Mondino, with the former ambassador to the US, Gerardo Werthein. The latter will take office as the new Foreign Minister this Monday at 6:30 p.m. local time (9:30 p.m. GMT).
Not only did that cost Mondino his job, but we are doing a job where all those responsible for this are going to be sued and fired. You can’t go vote for anything because you think so. If you want to vote what you want, you have to win the elections,” Milei said.
In announcing Mondino’s departure, a statement from the President’s Office stated that Argentina “categorically opposes the Cuban dictatorship and is committed to maintaining a foreign policy that condemns all regimes that perpetuate the violation of human rights and individual freedoms.
He also announced the start of an audit among career diplomats to “identify drivers of agendas that are enemies of freedom.”
(EFE)
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### Interview with Political Analyst Carla Fernández on Argentina’s Foreign Policy Shift
**Interviewer:** Good evening, Carla. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent developments in Argentina’s foreign policy under President Javier Milei.
**Carla Fernández:** Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Interviewer:** President Milei has announced his intention to fire officials involved in Argentina’s recent vote at the UN in favor of Cuba. What do you make of this decision?
**Carla Fernández:** It’s quite a bold move. This decision reflects Milei’s strong commitment to aligning Argentina with the United States and Israel, particularly in contrast to the overwhelming vote against U.S. sanctions on Cuba. By labeling those who voted in favor as “traitors,” he is establishing a new partisan narrative for Argentina’s foreign policy.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the alignment with the U.S. and Israel. How significant is this shift away from Argentina’s previous stance?
**Carla Fernández:** Historically, Argentina has maintained a relatively neutral or balanced position on many issues, including relations with Cuba. This shift signifies a potential pivot towards a much more pro-Western alignment under Milei. It may alienate some segments of the international community who view this stance as overly aggressive or simplistic.
**Interviewer:** Milei has also replaced the former foreign minister, Diana Mondino. How does this change impact the overall direction of Argentina’s foreign policy?
**Carla Fernández:** The appointment of Gerardo Werthein, a former ambassador to the U.S., suggests that Milei is surrounding himself with individuals who share his vision of foreign policy. This may indicate an intention to implement more drastic changes and a stronger alignment with U.S. interests going forward, particularly as they relate to Latin America.
**Interviewer:** What are the potential repercussions of this aggressive approach, especially for Argentina’s diplomats and their operations?
**Carla Fernández:** There could be internal strife within the Foreign Ministry, as employees may feel threatened by the prospect of legal action for their votes. This might lead to a diplomatic environment marked by fear and conformity rather than open dialogue and negotiation. Additionally, Argentina may face backlash from some nations that disapprove of Milei’s sharp shifts in policy.
**Interviewer:** In light of these developments, what can we expect from Argentina’s future foreign relations under Javier Milei?
**Carla Fernández:** We may see a period of isolation from countries that do not align with Milei’s worldview. However, his administration will likely cultivate closer ties with U.S. allies. It’s crucial to observe how this policy affects regional dynamics, especially with neighboring countries that may not share Milei’s views.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Carla, for your insights. It’s certainly a critical time for Argentina.
**Carla Fernández:** Thank you for having me. It will be interesting to watch how this unfolds.
