On Wednesday evening, President Javier Milei of Argentina dismissed his Foreign Minister, Diana Mondino, shortly after the country voted in favor of a United Nations resolution calling for the end of the U.S. economic “embargo” on Cuba. The UN General Assembly saw 187 nations support the resolution, with the United States and Israel voting against it, and only Moldova abstaining. The embargo, in place since 1960, is primarily aimed at limiting economic activities with Cuba, which is designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. Critics of the embargo argue that it does not directly affect humanitarian aid and allows Cuba to engage in trade with numerous countries, including major powers like China and Russia.
The firing of Mondino was a moment of considerable significance, as it reflects a shift in Argentina’s foreign policy under Milei’s leadership. His official dismissal of Mondino was followed by the appointment of Gerardo Werthein as the new Foreign Minister. In an official statement, Milei communicated his intent to realign Argentina with the principles of freedom and individual rights, contrasting sharply with the previous administration’s approach of nurturing ties with Cuba and other leftist regimes. The Argentine government’s strong stance against the Cuban government underscores its commitment to supporting the rights of individuals and opposing oppressive regimes.
Milei’s administration aims to significantly alter Argentina’s international relationships, especially regarding the United States and Israel, as pivotal allies. This marks a departure from the foreign policy direction seen in recent socialist administrations, which leaned towards collaboration with nations like China, Russia, Iran, and leftist governments in Latin America, including Cuba and Venezuela. Former President Alberto Fernández maintained a cordial relationship with the Cuban leadership, which included multiple official discussions with President Miguel Díaz-Canel, further emphasizing the contrast in Milei’s policy approach.
As part of his new diplomatic strategy, Milei has signaled that all Argentine diplomats must align their actions with his ideological stance, specifically in favor of U.S. and Israeli interests, as well as against the UN’s sustainable development agenda by 2030. Reports from local media indicate that Milei is actively communicating to his diplomatic corps that any personnel not committed to this realignment risk losing their positions. The president’s determination to shape a new political landscape reflects an intent to solidify a “resistance front” against initiatives that Milei views as undermining national sovereignty in favor of a socialist blueprint for governmental control.
The internal discussions within Argentina’s Foreign Ministry suggest a broader mandate to promote an ideology centered on freedom and individual rights, while explicitly rejecting any concepts that could be interpreted as infringing upon these principles. Reports indicate that Milei believes the 2030 Agenda is a mechanism for imposing a “socialist supranational government” that threatens individual liberties. His administration has emphasized that diplomacy must accompany the ideals of liberty, and any variants that oppose these notions will not be tolerated within the ranks of Argentina’s representatives abroad.
In conclusion, President Milei’s recent decisions signify a robust reorientation of Argentina’s foreign policy towards a more conservative and pro-Western stance. By taking immediate steps to eliminate positions that do not align with his vision, and by promoting a clearly defined set of values for Argentina’s international relations, he aims to ensure that his government commits firmly to the principles of freedom and opposition to oppressive regimes. This shift seeks to distance Argentina from its previous socialist affiliations and resonates with ongoing global tensions surrounding the principles of democracy and human rights. Through these actions, Milei is positioning Argentina within a new geopolitical framework that prioritizes its alignment with ideologically compatible nations.