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The United States ambassador to Argentina, Peter Lamelas, a Cuban-American doctor and businessman appointed by Donald Trump, publicly reaffirmed his support for Javier Milei's government in a message posted yesterday on his official X account, amidst rising diplomatic tensions between Buenos Aires and London over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
"The world is watching Argentina, and it likes what it sees. With Javier Milei's reforms: stability, clear rules, and a real direction. Investment is already starting to flow," wrote Lamelas, who added that "if the course is maintained, much more will come."
The statements come at a particularly sensitive time: on April 24, President Milei and Chancellor Pablo Quirno reaffirmed that "the Malvinas were, are, and always will be Argentine," in response to tensions with the United Kingdom.
To this scenario is added the disclosure of a supposed internal Pentagon document that assesses the possibility of revising Washington's historical neutrality in the sovereignty conflict, which could reconfigure 43 years of diplomatic status quo.
In that context, Lamelas' praises for Milei and his characterization of Argentina as the "preferred partner" of the United States carry a significance that extends beyond the economic sphere and touches on the geopolitical territory of the South Atlantic.
The diplomat had already set the tone on April 14 during his participation in the AmCham Summit held at the Buenos Aires Convention Center, where he defined his mission as "working with the government of President Milei and the private sector to ensure that Argentina grows again with more economic freedom, greater stability, and the United States as its preferred partner."
At that business forum, Lamelas stated that Argentina is experiencing "the most dynamic moment of the bilateral relationship" and that "capital responds to conditions, to signals," emphasizing that the country today demonstrates "direction, order, and transparency."
The ambassador was specific about Argentina's strategic assets: "Argentina has what the world needs: energy from places like Vaca Muerta, mining, lithium, copper, silver, uranium, agro-industry. It has innovation, has talent, especially in technology, and has a people with great capacity to move forward."
Regarding the alignment between Trump and Milei, Lamelas was straightforward: "This isn't ideology, it's growth, it's development."
Lamelas also highlighted the Reciprocal Agreement on Trade and Investments (ATI), signed in 2024, as an instrument that "eliminates real barriers, rewards innovation, reduces bureaucracy, and sends a very clear message: it affirms that Argentina is ready to compete with the best."
The U.S. embassy has provided assistance to more than 2,400 American companies interested in business opportunities in Argentina, as noted by Lamelas himself.
Born in Cuba, Lamelas arrived in Florida at the age of four on a Red Cross ship and describes himself as "Cuban by birth, American by the grace of God."
His appointment is part of a Trump strategy to place Cuban-Americans in key positions in foreign policy towards Latin America, alongside Marco Rubio as Secretary of State and Mauricio Claver-Carone as head of Latin American Affairs.
On April 23, Deputy Secretary of State Thomas G. DiNanno also reinforced the bilateral alignment on security matters, recognizing Argentina's commitment against terrorism supported by Iran and announcing assistance with military equipment and cybersecurity.
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