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

Argentina’s President Javier Milei dismissed Foreign Minister Diana Mondino after the country voted in favor of lifting the U.S. embargo on Cuba at the U.N. Gerardo Werthein is appointed as her replacement. This change follows a significant vote at the U.N. where 187 countries supported the resolution against the embargo, showcasing Milei’s shift towards closer ties with U.S. and Israeli interests since taking office.

On Wednesday, Argentina’s President Javier Milei dismissed his Foreign Minister Diana Mondino just hours after the nation voted in favor of a United Nations resolution aimed at lifting the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba. Following this decision, the President appointed Gerardo Werthein, the current ambassador to the United States, as the new foreign minister. The reasons behind the dismissal were not specified by Milei’s spokesman, Manuel Adorni, who announced the change on his X account. In a significant diplomatic move, 187 nations, including Argentina, expressed their support for resuming diplomatic relations with Cuba through the U.N. resolution, while only the United States and Israel opposed the initiative. Since assuming office in December 2023, President Milei has notably shifted Argentina’s foreign policy to align more closely with the interests of the United States and Israel. This realignment is reflected in Milei’s outspoken support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly concerning Israel’s military actions against Gaza—a stance that diverges from the perspectives of numerous Latin American countries, some of which have severed ties with Israel over its recent actions.

In December 2023, Javier Milei, a libertarian leader, became the President of Argentina. He has since emphasized a foreign policy that is increasingly aligned with the United States and Israel, contrasting with many of his regional counterparts. The U.S. economic embargo of Cuba has been a contentious issue at the United Nations, with annual votes reflecting a majority of countries opposing the embargo. With many nations advocating for the normalization of relations with Cuba against this backdrop, the recent vote comes as a significant diplomatic gesture from Argentina, reflecting the country’s willingness to engage differently on the international stage under Milei’s administration.

In summary, President Javier Milei’s dismissal of Foreign Minister Diana Mondino shortly after Argentina’s vote to condemn the U.S. embargo on Cuba highlights the ongoing tensions within his administration regarding foreign policy direction. This event underscores Milei’s commitment to aligning Argentina’s foreign relations with U.S. and Israeli interests, as evidenced by his recent appointments and diplomatic actions, which set a sharp contrast against a backdrop of growing dissent within Latin America regarding Israel’s policies.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com