President Javier Milei has appointed Finance Secretary Pablo Quirno as Argentina’s new foreign minister, two days after Gerardo Werthein resigned his post.
The appointment will take effect on Monday and marks an explicitly economic turn for the foreign service. The announcement comes amid speculation about a wider Cabinet reshuffle after Sunday’s midterm elections, in which President Milei hopes to increase his representation in Congress.
Werthein resigned his post on Monday ahead of the changes. Justice Minister Mario Cúneo Libarona confirmed his exit earlier on Thursday.
Quirno, 59, was named Argentina’s top diplomat in a statement posted by Milei’s office, which said the official would serve as “the link between the Foreign Ministry and the Economy Ministry.”
Milei’s office said the decision “reinforces the pro-market vision of the administration as it enters its second stage” in its statement confirming the news.
“The Office of the President announces that Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein has submitted his resignation as of Monday, October 27,” the statement read.
“President Javier G. Milei thanks Mr Werthein for his service and for having played an instrumental role – alongside the Economy Ministry and the Argentine Embassy in Washington – in achieving the largest bilateral agreement in our nation’s history with the United States,” it continued.
“In his place, the new foreign minister will be Pablo Quirno, current finance secretary and a key member of the economic team that averted the greatest crisis in the country’s history, and a central figure in the construction of the so-called ‘Argentine miracle’” – a reference to Milei’s assessment of his own time of office.
Quirno will “focus on opening Argentina to the world, pursuing trade agreements to boost the economy and strengthen ties between international markets and Argentine producers,” said the government, noting he would also be responsible for building alliances with Western nations and advancing Milei’s “cultural battle.”
Werthein out
Werthein resigned on Wednesday after nearly a year in office, kicking off Milei’s anticipated Cabinet reshuffle a few days ahead of schedule.
The 69-year-old took office in October 2024, replacing ex-minister Diana Mondino. He served as Argentina’s ambassador to the United States prior to his appointment.
His resignation was confirmed just four days before key legislative elections that will serve as a referendum on Milei’s government on date and future reform plans.
A number of foreign service appointments recently confirmed by Werthein, designating officials at various countries and consulates worldwide, will be “reviewed individually,” briefed the Casa Rosada.
Milei, 55, confirmed earlier this week that he would reshuffle his Cabinet after the October 26 midterm elections. Trailing a “reconfiguration” of his line-up of ministers, the La Libertad Avanza leader said he intended to wait for the results before finalising his line up.
“I have a contract with the people, with the Argentine public, and I intend to fulfil it. What does that mean? That heading into the second half of this term, I will be reshuffling the Cabinet to achieve the goals of second-generation reforms,” the President pledged during an interview with state broadcaster TV Pública.
Milei’s team is reviewing each government department’s performance and has hinted he may create new portfolios or merge existing ones.
The reshuffle is also prompted by an exodus of key officials, many of whom are running for legislative posts.
There is friction between some figures, not least Werthein, who reportedly voiced opposition to the potential appointment of top presidential advisor Santiago Caputo, who up until now has remained behind the scenes.
Santiago Caputo, who until now has operated behind the scenes, is now expected to be granted a key position. Which position is yet to be defined.
Confirmed departures from the Cabinet include Justice Minister Mariano Cuneo Libarona, National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich (who is running for senator) and Defence Minister Luis Petri (who is also running for office). Lisandro Catalán (Interior) could also be removed.
Cabinet Chief Guillmero Francos was rumoured as Werthein’s replacement and his future remains unclear. Another under consolidation for the post was Federico Pinedo, the former G20 sherpa, who has increased his social media activity in recent days, demonstrating complete alignment with the Casa Rosada.
Among the likely incomers are Security Secretary Alejandra Monteoliva, a Bullrich ally who looks set to replace her, and Justice Secretary Sebastián Amerio, who answers to Caputo.
Speculation is also rife over the inclusion of figures from Maurico Macri’s PRO party, including the former president himself, and former energy minister Javier Iguacel.
Prior to his resignation, Werthein had come under fierce criticism from Milei supporters on social media, who slammed his handling of the October 14 bilateral meeting between the President and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, at the White House in Washington.
Banking background
Quirno, a close ally of Economy Minister Luis Caputo, enjoyed a 17-year spell at JPMorgan Chase & Co and served in two positions in former president Mauricio Macri 2015–2019 government.
The new foreign minister served as Caputo’s right-hand man when the latter chaired the Central Bank in 2018 and sat on the institution’s board.
Since taking on the role of finance secretary in December 2023, he has been a key part of the Milei’s government’s negotiations with creditors such as the International Monetary Fund and the United States.
Quirno graduated in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and has a long track record in international finance. He worked in the private sector as a financial adviser and as Latin America director for JP Morgan in New York.
– TIMES with agencies
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