【By Observer Net, Xiong Chaoran】Nepotism and rewarding one's "donors" have always been a common practice for U.S. President Trump in appointing foreign diplomatic officials. According to China Central Television (CCTV) reports, on July 23 local time, several provincial governors and legislators in Argentina publicly criticized the remarks of Peter Lamelas, the U.S. ambassador designate to Argentina, as "full of colonialism and Monroe Doctrine."

Lamelas is the founder of a chain of emergency care clinics in Florida, and also a "donor" of Trump. On July 22 local time, during the confirmation hearing, Lamelas not only stated his firm support for Trump's allies, including Argentine right-wing president Milei, who is known as the "Argentine Trump," but also claimed that the former Argentine president Cristina Kirchner, who is currently under house arrest due to corruption charges and sentenced to six years in prison, should be put on trial for other cases. Even more absurdly, he vowed to use this ambassadorial position as a "fortress against China," and defame China-Argentina cooperation projects in the region.

Upon making these statements, opposition political figures in Argentina also accused Lamelas of violating diplomatic conventions, interfering in Argentina's internal affairs and judicial matters. At the same time, Argentine legislators have submitted a bill stating that Lamelas' remarks were "an unacceptable interference in national sovereignty," while labor unions in Argentina plan to hold large-scale protests outside the U.S. embassy in Argentina on July 24 local time.

On July 23, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Argentina made comments regarding the erroneous remarks by the U.S. incoming ambassador to Argentina. The spokesperson pointed out that the remarks of the relevant U.S. personnel are full of ideological prejudice and Cold War zero-sum thinking, which has raised concerns about the resurgence of the "Monroe Doctrine," contradicting the so-called "democratic values" that the U.S. claims to uphold.

China has always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality, and win-win cooperation when engaging in cooperative relations with Latin American countries, including Argentina, without seeking spheres of influence or geopolitical interests, nor targeting any third party. Argentina should not become a "playground" for great power rivalry, but rather a "model field" for international development cooperation to achieve reform, development, and revitalization. We advise the relevant people not to mirror China through their own hegemonic logic.

American incoming ambassador to Argentina Peter Lamelas attends the confirmation hearing. Buenos Aires Herald

On July 22 local time, Lamelas attended the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination. During the hearing, he mentioned former Argentine president Cristina Kirchner.

In Argentina, it is common practice to place criminals over 70 years old under house arrest. Regarding Cristina Kirchner, who was sentenced to six years in prison for corruption charges, Lamelas claimed that the practice of house arrest was "political favoritism" and said he would ensure that she be tried for other cases.

On that day, Lamelas accused Kirchner of being involved in concealing the investigation into the 1994 bombing of the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, but did not provide specific evidence or explain the basis for his claim. He then further inflamed the situation by implying that Kirchner was related to the mysterious death of Alberto Nisman, the special prosecutor investigating the case in 2015.

Currently, Kirchner has not been formally charged or prosecuted for Nisman's death. Early investigations suggested that Nisman committed suicide, but later reports indicated that it was a murder, and the case remains unsolved.

Kirchner is a key figure in the left-wing Peronist Party, which holds a majority in Congress. She has responded to Lamelas on social media.

"He almost said he would personally appoint judges," Kirchner mentioned some shocking scandals in the U.S., such as the Epstein investigation, and added, "They should clean up their own house before commenting on ours."

Not only did Lamelas attack Kirchner, but he also targeted China, expressing exaggerated concerns about China's growing influence in Argentina during the hearing.

For this, provincial governors in Argentina strongly criticized Lamelas and called on President Milei to reject him from becoming an ambassador.

"Stay in your country and solve your own corruption," said Gustavo Melella, governor of the southernmost province of Tierra del Fuego, rebutting: "No ambassador has the right to lecture us."

Sergio Ziliotto, governor of the central province of La Pampa, gave a similar response: "The only person who can command us is the people of La Pampa."

The most populous province in Argentina, Buenos Aires Province, its governor Axel Kicillof wrote on the social media platform X: "Lamelas, go back home." He also added: "Lamelas' remarks remind me of the darkest times when the U.S. interfered in our regional 'democracy.'"

At present, Argentine President Milei, who is close to Trump, has not yet commented on Lamelas' speech at the hearing. Previously, Milei had repeatedly praised Trump and imitated his policies, including leaving the World Health Organization (WHO). Recently, Milei had also dined with Lamelas at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate and took a photo together.

Milei and Lamelas pose for a photo. Buenos Aires Herald

Although the U.S. has been urging the Milei government and other allies in Latin America to distance themselves from China, trade between Argentina and China has increased in the past year.

Starting from July 22 local time, Chinese citizens holding U.S. or EU visas no longer need an Argentine visa to enter Argentina for tourism or business purposes. Previously, all Chinese citizens had to meet all of Argentina's visa requirements.

It is believed that during the delay of trade negotiations between Argentina and the U.S., President Milei is re-adjusting his foreign policy. The country's announcement of easing visa requirements for Chinese citizens is a new signal of goodwill toward China, highlighting a broad shift in Milei's policy toward China. Previously, the U.S. had shown increasing unease about the warming relationship between Argentina and China.

In addition to the visa policy, there has been another major progress in Sino-Argentine relations - two large hydroelectric power station projects in Santa Cruz Province in southern Argentina have resumed construction. Since the end of 2023, as the largest infrastructure project invested by China in Argentina, the Jorge Cepernic Provincial Power Station and the Nestor Kirchner Presidential Power Station had been stalled due to financial and contract disputes.

Previously, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian responded that China has always conducted practical cooperation in various fields with Argentina on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. For a long time, the bilateral currency swap cooperation between China and Argentina has played an important role in maintaining Argentina's economic and financial stability, and has been welcomed and positively evaluated by Argentina.

Lin Jian pointed out that China's bilateral cooperation with relevant countries does not target a third party, nor should it be disturbed by a third party. Who is extorting, coercing, and stirring up trouble, the truth is clear to everyone. We advise the U.S. to adjust their mindset, instead of spending time inciting division, they should do something practical for the development of Latin American and Caribbean countries.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7530448964940857891/

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