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ARGENTINA | 04-11-2024 22:12

New Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein takes office, orders staff changes

Gerardo Werthein, Argentina’s former ambassador to the United States, is sworn-in as nation’s top diplomat; New foreign minister replaces Diana Mondino, who was ousted last week.

President Javier Milei has sworn-in Argentina’s former ambassador to the United States, Gerardo Werthein, as the nation’s new foreign minister.

Werthein, 68, took the oath of office at the Salón Blanco at the Casa Rosada on Monday, formally assuming the role as Argentina’s top diplomat.

The new official replaces Diana Mondino, who Milei unceremoniously dumped last Wednesday after Argentina voted to condemn the US trade embargo against Cuba in a United Nations vote.

On his first day as minister, Werthein reportedly ordered the dismissal of several of his predecessor's collaborators. 

The move comes with Milei vowing to carry out an "audit" of Argentina's foreign service. 

The President has said he will purge the diplomatic corps of "traitors" who do not adhere to his foreign policy. 

Government sources told the Noticias Argentinas news agency they believe the foreign service acts like “a caste,” and that officials want to ensure it falls in line behind the Executive. 

 

New minister

Werthein is a wealthy businessman with close ties to the US establishment, especially among the Democratic Party. He accompanied Milei on his first trip overseas as president-elect last November, when he visited New York.

The ex-envoy to Washington swore on “God, the Fatherland and the Torah” during his inauguration, making him the first official to reference the holy book of the Jewish religion in an oath of office.

The new foreign minister was joined by Cabinet ministers and his family for Monday’s brief ceremony at the Casa Rosada.

Also in attendance were Globant boss Miguel Migoya, Alejandro Bulgheroni of Pan American Energy, and Zulema ‘Zulemita’ Menem, the daughter of former president Carlos Menem.

The new foreign minister is a wealthy businessman with close ties to the US establishment, especially among the Democratic party. 

He accompanied Milei on his first trip overseas as president-elect last November, when he visited New York.

 

Quick dismissal, appointment

Werthein was informed of his new role just hours after Mondino’s dismissal.

His replacement in Washington has not yet been named, though the new minister has been tasked with drawing up a shortlist of potential replacements.

Milei, who has aligned himself with the United States and Israel since taking office last December, asked for Mondino’s resignation after Argentina voted at the United Nations to condemn the US trade embargo of Cuba.

Though in line with the nation's historic stance, the head of state was angered by the decision and lack of prior consultation with the Executive branch.

Government sources say that the government had no prior knowledge of the United Nations vote on the embargo, nor the position that Mondino would take.

 

‘Unforgivable’

Speculation over Mondino’s future had been growing in recent weeks and the “mistake,” as Milei described it, prompted an immediate response from the Casa Rosada.

Speaking in a televised interview with his girlfriend that aired on Monday, Milei said the “unforgivable mistake” had “cost” Mondino “her job in 30 minutes.”

“We monitor the [social] networks all the time, because when a problem appears it can be solved very quickly,” he said.

Milei said Monday that those involved in the UN vote were traitors to the country and said he is "ready to throw them all out."

"Foreign policy is set by the president," he said in an appearance of a television show hosted by his girlfriend ex-vedette Amalia ‘Yuyito’ González.

 

– TIMES/NA

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