Argentina’s President Dismisses Foreign Minister After U.N. Vote on Cuba Embargo

Argentina’s President Javier Milei has dismissed Foreign Minister Diana Mondino following the country’s vote at the U.N. to lift the U.S. embargo on Cuba. This move, reflecting Milei’s foreign policy shift towards closer ties with the U.S. and Israel, has led to the appointment of Gerardo Werthein as the new foreign minister.

In the wake of Argentina’s recent decision to vote in favor of lifting the United States’ economic embargo on Cuba during a United Nations General Assembly session, President Javier Milei has taken significant diplomatic action by terminating his Foreign Minister, Diana Mondino. This decision, announced on his spokesperson Manuel Adorni’s social media platform, has been interpreted as a direct response to the vote, which occurred on Wednesday, where 187 countries supported a resolution condemning the embargo, while only the United States and Israel opposed it. Following Mondino’s dismissal, Milei appointed Gerardo Werthein, the current Argentine ambassador to the United States, as her successor. President Milei’s administration, which has been in office since December 2023, has shown a tendency to align Argentina’s foreign policy more closely with U.S. and Israeli interests. Milei’s support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government amid its ongoing conflict in Gaza starkly contrasts with the stance taken by several other Latin American nations, including Bolivia and Colombia, which have severed diplomatic ties with Israel and at least five countries, such as Brazil, that have withdrawn their ambassadors. This political shift reflects a broader context in which Argentina is navigating complex international relationships and the implications of its foreign policy decisions in a region characterized by varying diplomatic strategies.

The background of this political development is situated within Argentina’s evolving diplomatic relationship with both the United States and Israel, as President Javier Milei seeks to realign the country’s foreign policy. The U.N. General Assembly’s session, in which the embargo was condemned, highlights the contrasting positions of various nations on the issue of Cuba, reflecting historical tensions between Washington and Havana. Additionally, Milei’s strong backing of Israel during its recent military actions in Gaza exemplifies his administration’s contentious stance in contrast to other Latin American leaders.

In summary, President Javier Milei’s dismissal of Foreign Minister Diana Mondino shortly after Argentina’s vote against the U.S. embargo on Cuba reveals his intention to enforce a stringent diplomatic alignment with U.S. and Israeli interests. This decision not only affects Argentina’s foreign relations but also signifies a pronounced shift in its foreign policy direction since Milei’s administration began, contrasting sharply with the positions adopted by other nations in the region.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com