The appointment of Pablo Quirno as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, replacing Gerardo Werthein's sudden resignation, reaffirms the libertarian regime's foreign policy, openly aligning it with its financial strategy and debt . The appointment, announced just four days before crucial legislative elections that could represent a historic setback for Javier Milei's government, just 20 months into his term, underscores the primacy of economic ties over traditional diplomatic interests and national sovereignty.

The profile of the new chancellor

Pablo Quirno is not a career diplomat, but rather an economist with a postgraduate degree from Wharton University and an extensive three-decade career in the international financial sector. His profile is closely linked to financial markets and, crucially, to the influential American bank JP Morgan, where he was director for Latin America in New York and a member of the Regional Management Committee.

The new and third Foreign Minister under President Javier Milei is the "right-hand man" and close confidant of Economy Minister Luis "Toto" Caputo. Their close professional relationship dates back to previous terms, such as his role as chief advisor at the Ministry of Finance (2017-2018) and as director of the Central Bank (2018), both under Caputo's leadership during Mauricio Macri's presidential administration .

This triangulation of former financial sector executives in key positions (Quirno at the Foreign Ministry, Caputo at the Economy Ministry, and Santiago Bausili at the Central Bank, all with a background at JP Morgan) has generated a strong controversy over the investment bank's influence on Argentina's sovereign economic decisions.

Quirno, Caputo, and Bausili; all with a background at JP Morgan.

The Presidential Office made his appointment official, highlighting that, in his previous roles as Secretary of Finance and Secretary of International Economic Relations , Quirno has been a "key player" in the government's economic strategy, and his main mission will be to "open Argentina to the world" with a focus on trade agreements and strengthening ties with international markets . This approach reinforces the pro-market vision promoted by President Milei , prioritizing the search for external financing, such as the $20 billion credit line negotiated with the United States and the role of JP Morgan in arranging a possible credit line.

The Malvinas Question: Quirno's statements against sovereignty

The appointment of Pablo Quirno sparked a wave of criticism and alarm due to his public statements in 2013 and 2014 regarding the sovereignty of the Malvinas Islands , which are completely contrary to the historical and constitutional position of the Argentine Republic, and to that upheld by the United Nations (UN), which does not recognize the right to self-determination of an established population.

In a March 2013 tweet, Pablo Quirno mocked the validity of the referendum held by the British colonial government on the islands, asking: "What if we held the referendum they held in the Malvinas Islands here? Would it have a different result? " This mockery downplayed Argentina's claim and suggested a possible indifference to the cause among mainland citizens. A year later, he further reversed his stance against Argentine sovereignty, dismissing the importance of diplomatic efforts by writing that going to the UN regarding the Malvinas Islands (or the vulture funds) would only yield "declarations," but "NOT definitions or changes."

These statements, which equated the defense of national sovereignty with a "waste of time," clash head-on with the role he must now assume as Foreign Minister, the official responsible for supporting and representing the Malvinas cause in all international forums, as required by the constitutional mandate. His position raises serious doubts about the government's commitment to defending the archipelago, which was usurped since 1833.

Context of a Cabinet under Tension

Quirno's appointment comes amid a political crisis and a Cabinet collapse , highlighted by the abrupt resignation of the outgoing Foreign Minister, Gerardo Werthein, who took office a year ago, after Javier Milei ousted Diana Mondino through the media .

Although Werthein had agreed to leave after the elections , his resignation was precipitated by a heated argument with the Secretary General of the Presidency, Karina Milei , and by prolonged discontent over the growing influence of advisor Santiago Caputo in relations with the United States.

Werthein's departure is not the only one . The early resignation of the Minister of Justice, Mariano Cúneo Libarona, is also a fact, adding to the rumors of other changes the President planned to announce after the elections .

This climate of instability and the internal disputes that erupted hours before a crucial parliamentary election have exposed the tensions at the top of the power structure and the fragility of a government project that has barely been in office for twenty months .

Quirno's arrival strengthens the government's economic and, fundamentally, financial wing , in an attempt to signal solidity and continuity in the international financing strategy.

Thus, all the evidence indicates that the defense of Argentine sovereignty over the Malvina Islands will be at the mercy of the weak political sustainability of the libertarian regime and a president who proclaims himself an admirer of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thather, responsible for conducting the 1982 Malvinas War and ordering the sinking of the ARA General Belgrano cruiser outside the combat zone.