US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) recently met with Argentina President Javier Milei during a trip to Argentina aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties among the US and Argentina.
Senator Rubio commended President Milei’s bold economic resurgence plans for Argentina, a nation whose economy has been battered by previous left-wing governments.
Argentina elected Milei to the presidency in late 2023. Milei, whose political career began in Argentina’s Congress, is a conservative figure whose rise has taken the world by surprise.
An economics professor, Milei is known as a relentless advocate for laissez-faire economics, limited government, and conservative values.
Milei is “a strong ally of America with a bold plan to save Argentina from a century of disastrous socialist policies,” said Rubio.
Great meeting today with @JMilei, a strong ally of America with a bold plan to save #Argentina from a century of disastrous socialist policies. We should help him succeed! pic.twitter.com/b6bfDuW1yk
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 20, 2024
Rubio also met with members of Milei’s cabinet, including Minister of Economy Luis Caputo and Foreign Minister Diana Mondino.
While President Joe Biden congratulated Milei for his electoral victory, Rubio claims President Biden has not shown sufficient interest fostering ties with Argentina.
Rubio’s office released a statement alleging key South American states such as Argentina are being ignored “as the Biden Administration fails to prioritize the region and spurns allies.”
Rubio explained the contrast between Milei and other Latin-American leaders regarding his pro-US attitude should incite increased US interest for cooperating with Argentina.
Upon becoming President-elect, stated Rubio, “Milei prioritized an official visit to the US, in contrast with his Socialist predecessors.”
During his Argentina trip, Rubio also visited the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) Museum marking Hezbollah’s 1994 Buenos Aires terrorist attack.
The attack, which was intended to massacre the members of AMIA-a jewish community center-killed 85 individuals and injured hundreds more.
“At a time when antisemitism is on the rise around the world, it is our moral duty to stand in support of the Jewish community,” said Rubio during his visit.
Anti-Semitic acts have garnered major media attention since Hamas’ October 7th attacks into Israel and the latter’s extensive military operation in response.
Last weekend, a Neo-Nazi rally held in Winter Park, Florida, sparked outrage.
Similarly, Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva’s comments comparing Israel to Nazi Germany garnered torrential amounts of criticism.
Aside from Hamas, Israel has also been defending itself from other Iranian-backed foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs).
The Houthis, an Iranian-backed rebel group, have been attacking Western ships traversing the Red Sea in retaliation for Israel's attacks against Hamas.
Over the weekend, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile struck the MV Rubymar, a UK commercial ship. According to CENTCOM, the Rubymar’s crew had to be evacuated from the ship.
