Argentina’s Foreign Minister, Gerardo Werthein, has resigned from office, the presidential office announced on Wednesday, marking the second foreign ministerial departure under President Javier Milei’s administration.
Although the government did not immediately state the reason for his resignation or name a replacement, local media reports suggested Werthein had initially planned to step down after Sunday’s legislative elections. Instead, he presented his resignation late Tuesday night.
Werthein, who previously served as Argentina’s ambassador to the United States, held the foreign minister post for nearly a year. He succeeded Milei’s first foreign minister, Diana Mondino, who was dismissed for voting in favour of lifting the US embargo on Cuba at the United Nations.
The resignation comes just days before a crucial legislative vote in which Milei’s libertarian party hopes to expand its minority representation in Congress to safeguard his sweeping austerity and economic reform agenda. The government has faced growing public discontent over harsh spending cuts affecting vulnerable citizens and a recent corruption scandal.
President Milei recently hinted at a cabinet reshuffle following the midterm elections. The move also comes as Argentina faces mounting international scrutiny, with Washington linking continued financial support to the election outcome. The US Treasury has already agreed to a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina and is reportedly preparing another $20 billion facility with banks and investors.
Werthein’s sudden exit adds to the uncertainty surrounding Milei’s administration as it seeks to balance economic recovery efforts with political stability at home and abroad.
Melissa Enoch
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