Argentina’s President Javier Milei has dismissed Foreign Minister Diana Mondino after the country voted at the U.N. in favor of lifting the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The vote saw 187 nations supporting the resolution, with only the U.S. and Israel opposing it. This change in foreign policy marks a shift under Milei’s administration towards closer ties with the U.S. and support for Israel, contrasting with other Latin American nations.
On Wednesday, Argentine President Javier Milei terminated his foreign minister, Diana Mondino, just hours after Argentina cast a vote at the United Nations General Assembly endorsing the resolution to lift the United States’ economic embargo on Cuba. The replacement for Mondino is Gerardo Werthein, the current Argentine ambassador to the United States, as confirmed by Milei’s spokesperson, Manuel Adorni, on his social media account. Although Adorni made no explicit comments regarding the rationale behind the dismissal, the timing of the announcement is notable, following Argentina’s 187-2 vote against the embargo, with only the United States and Israel opposing the resolution. Since his inauguration in December 2023, President Milei has pivoted Argentina’s foreign policy to better align with U.S. and Israeli interests and has publicly supported Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during recent military actions in Gaza. This position starkly contrasts with the stance of several other Latin American countries, such as Bolivia and Colombia, which have notably severed diplomatic ties with Israel, while a number of others, including Brazil, have recalled their ambassadors from Tel Aviv.
The economic embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba has been a longstanding issue, often criticized by numerous nations as a significant impediment to the island’s development and sovereignty. The United Nations General Assembly has seen multiple resolutions advocating for the end of this embargo, with the majority of member states consistently condemning it. The recent vote by Argentina illustrates a shift in the country’s diplomatic stance under President Javier Milei, who has displayed a clear proclivity towards U.S. foreign policy and has shown support for right-wing governments in the region, significantly diverging from traditional Latin American policy which has frequently favored diplomatic engagement with Cuba.
In summary, President Javier Milei’s dismissal of Foreign Minister Diana Mondino following Argentina’s affirmative vote to end the United States’ embargo on Cuba at the U.N. highlights a significant and immediate shift in the nation’s foreign policy orientation. This action underscores Milei’s commitment to aligning Argentina more closely with U.S. interests while exhibiting support for Israel amidst ongoing conflicts, a position that distinguishes his administration from several of his regional counterparts. The implications of such a shift may resonate throughout Latin America, impacting diplomatic relations and regional dynamics.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
