by In the next few hours, the Government will send to the Senate the list of its first seven political ambassadorswhose names were already anticipated by this newspaper.
They were included in extraordinary sessions in which President Javier Milei will seek approval for his state reforms and the deregulation of the economy.
The documents that must first be debated for confirmation in the Agreements Commission of the Upper House, chaired by larretista Guadalupe Tagliaferri, are curious about the fact that that of the economist Sonia Cavallo was incorporateddaughter of Domingo Cavallo for the Organization of American States (OAS).
Milei and Carlos Menem’s Convertibility Minister of Economy feel mutual admiration and spoke often.
In recent days, Foreign Minister Diana Mondino decided temporarily send former vice chancellor Daniel Raimondi to the OAS as ambassador, since Argentina chaired the Permanent Council of the organization for three months from January 1 and they urgently needed a representative there. This revealed versions that Cavallo’s appointment could have fallen, which he timely anticipated. Clarion.
Then, there are the documents of the other ambassadors whose appointments are already known and, unlike those who are from the diplomatic career, need confirmation from the Senate. The “diplos” pass through the Upper House when they rise to the rank in said career.
It is about the businessman Gerardo Werthein, ambassador to the United States; that of the former vice president, former governor and until December ambassador in Brasilia Daniel Scioli, to continue in Brazil. Meanwhile, the international analyst and former Macri ambassador to Costa Rica and Israel, Mariano Caucino, was appointed ambassador to India. he Academic Ian SieleckiHe will be head of the headquarters in France as well as the youngest ambassador of Argentina.
The rabbi of the Moroccan community Axel Wahnish, Milei’s spiritual guide and who introduced the president to his practice of Judaism, would be ambassador to Israel. And the economist guillermo nielsenHe was chosen for the embassy in Paraguay.
Although the meeting in Agreements to discuss the background of those appointed does not have a date and time, it promises to be spicy in some cases because Kirchnerism wants to object to some issues. In the case of Cavallo, they can emphasize her status as an Argentine American living in Washington, although if she is an ambassador for an organization and not a country she can hold the position if she renounces diplomatic immunities, which she is willing to do
Werthein was attacked for an alleged tax domicile outside Argentina, which the businessman denied, pointing out that, to be appointed, he had to show his criminal record, his Argentine passport and his tax residence, which, he claims, is currently located here.
The rabbi will surely be questioned precisely about his religious status to serve as ambassador of a secular country. For that matter, it is also an inconvenience for the State of Israel that this is so.
Meanwhile, Ian Sielecki may object to his youth and his lack of experience as an ambassador for a position similar to the one that awaits him in France.
And with Daniel Scioli there are many Kirchnerists angry because they continue as Milei’s ambassador after having been Alberto Fernández’s ambassador. The same happens with the case of Nielsen, who was always a friend of Milei, although he was a member of Sergio Massa’s Renewal Front, and in December he left the head of the embassy in Saudi Arabia.
If you look at the resume of other political ambassadors from past administrations, the policy of rewards and punishments through embassies has engendered embarrassing cases.
Among other members of the Senate Agreements Commission are, Martín Lousteau, from Evolución; Maxi Abad, for radicalism, and the Kirchnerists, José Mayans, Juliana Di Tulio and Alicia Kirchner.
Diplomats in charge
In addition to the political appointments in the first days of government, Mondino, his Chief of Staff, Federico Bartffeld; his vice chancellor Leopoldo Sahores; its secretary of International Economic Relations, Marcelo Cima; and other members of the new leadership such as Ernesto Gaspari -Secretary of Economic Planning- and the Undersecretary of Latin American Affairs, Mariano Vergara, put together the new Foreign Policy in which, in addition to containing a strong matters liberal, economic and promotion of issues such as democracy and human rights Try to get more diplomats into positions in embassies.
There was a circular for the return of numerous ambassadors from the previous administration – among others those from London, France, Russia, the United Nations in New York and Geneva – but they are moving slowly. In addition, there are economic difficulties for mass replacements. And in some cases because the political power is asking for them.
This is the case of Uruguay, where a number of names circulated and where Karina Milei has strong influence -including that of businesswoman Bettina Bulgheroni, who was also placed as ambassador to Spain – but it will not be like that. The government of Luis Lacalle Pou does not hide its discomfort over this and other issues, such as the invitation to a visit by the President to Montevideo that was not answered.
The head of the Embassy in Chile is already occupied by former Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie. A career ambassador, he had to be summoned because he is already retired and it was he who asked for it after taking charge of the entire presidential transfer of Javier Milei, which is one of his greatest successes. He had already done it with Mauricio Macri in 2015 in the midst of strong political adversity.
After being promoted but it is not confirmed that upon his return from the OAS, Raimondi replaced fellow diplomat Atilio Berardi as ambassador to the European Union, who arrived at that position last year. He also revealed that Sergio Massa’s reference in his electoral campaign, Gustavo Martínez Pandiani, will have to rotate the destination: From ambassador to Switzerland he would become ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, in the Caribbean.
Diplomat Marcelo Suárez Salvia, meanwhile, is now in a position to take charge of the embassy to the People’s Republic of China, which granted him the approval.
while Diplomat Facundo Vil will be sent to Saudi Arabia as ambassadora, the retired ambassador Ricardo Lagorio, former head of the headquarters in Russia, was also summoned to the UN in New York, and man from Horacio Rodríguez Larreta’s team.
As ambassador to Peru, he appointed the consul there, Samuel Ortiz Basualdo, who replaces Enrique Vaca Narvaja, who is a diplomat. And on Thursday, diplomat Rafael González Alemán, Until now consul in Guangzhou, Chila, he will be the new ambassador to Armenia.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministries of Spain and Argentina continue without confirming why Pedro Sánchez is delaying granting the style approval to Roberto Bosch. Milei-Sánchez relations started very badly but there are no diplomatic conflicts. Bosch was the number two of Ricardo Alfonsín, political ambassador of Alberto Fernández.
