Pablo Quirno has taken charge of the Foreign Ministry, replacing Gerardo Werthein. The former finance secretary turned Argentina’s top diplomat faces two major tasks: the first, to safeguard Argentina’s relationship with the United States and secure exceptional tariff and trade agreements, beyond those already under negotiation; the second, to actively promote at international events the so-called “cultural battle” led by President Javier Milei.
Within the La Libertad Avanza administration, officials acknowledge that beyond Quirno’s “ability” to fill the post left suddenly vacant by the businessman, just days before Sunday’s decisive election, it is vital that he protect ties with the United States and Donald Trump.
This alignment between the two nations included a massive US financial rescue package for Argentina and the recent meeting between the presidents on October 14. As such, the Trump administration was not uninvolved in the shake-up at the Foreign Ministry – the White House reportedly gave its approval for one of Economy Ministry Luis ‘Toto’ Caputo’s trusted aides to move into the top office at the Palacio San Martín, located in Buenos Aires’ Recoleta neighbourhood.
Argentina’s new foreign minister will now have to make the most of this rapport with the Republican administration, seeking to deliver trade agreements and particularly preferential tariff access for national products in the US market — a goal Werthein pursued since taking office but was unable to achieve. In practice, Quirno must negotiate tariff reductions in exchange for greater access for US exports, at a time of mounting tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Beyond economic matters, Quirno’s Foreign Ministry will focus on promoting abroad the core elements of Milei’s “cultural battle,” a push launched the moment the head of state took office. For the Milei government, spreading the values of liberty, private property, minimal state intervention, and criticism of socialism and abortion deserves a stronger emphasis. That mission will now fall to Quirno and Nahuel Sotelo, the Worship & Civilisation secretary, a man who reports to the Foreign Ministry and maintains a close working relationship with the new minister.
Sotelo, a leading figure in Las Fuerzas del Cielo – the libertarian youth group linked to presidential adviser Santiago Caputo – was among those initially considered to replace Werthein but he quickly ruled out the possibility, opting to continue promoting libertarian ideas abroad and to remain in his post until at least December 10.
Sotelo was fifth on the La Libertad Avanza ballot for Buenos Aires Province’s Third Electoral Section and has said he hopes to take up a seat in the provincial legislature. However, that decision remains uncertain amid ongoing Cabinet reshuffles and the growing influence of adviser Caputo, who may soon join President Milei’s ministerial team.
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