Argentina's President Swaps Foreign Ministers After UN Vote on Cuba

Argentina’s President Javier Milei has replaced his Foreign Affairs Minister Diana Mondino. This change came after Mondino supported a UN vote to lift the US embargo on Cuba. Milei, who took office late in 2023, is known for his pro-United States stance. He has been distancing Argentina from leftist countries like Cuba and Venezuela. The UN General Assembly recently called for the US to end its long-standing sanctions on Cuba. This resolution was opposed only by the US and Israel. Milei, who wants Argentina to align with the US and Israel, posted a message from a lawmaker praising his government for not supporting dictators.

Gerardo Werthein, the current ambassador to the US, will now serve as Argentina’s foreign minister. Mondino, one of Milei’s first cabinet members, had a key role in maintaining smooth international relations despite Milei’s controversial comments about certain countries. Milei was reportedly angered when he learned about Argentina’s vote in favor of lifting the embargo on Cuba during a call with Werthein. Earlier this year, Argentina’s state energy company YPF stopped providing fuel to Cuban airline Cubana. This led to the shutdown of a route between Havana and Buenos Aires. Cuban officials said Argentina used the US embargo as a reason for this move.

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