US Ambassador Lamelas quiet on Bolsonaro at ‘Freedom 250’ Rodeo

Washington’s ambassador to Argentina, Peter Lamelas, brought the American ‘Wild West’ to Buenos Aires on Wednesday as the US Embassy welcomed a large crowd to the La Rural exhibition centre for ‘Freedom 250’, a US-style rodeo.

Dressed in a cowboy-style outfit, the US diplomat stuck to the topic at hand in his comments to the press and his speech, rather than addressing the issue of the day.

At one point, Lamelas was swamped by reporters but refused to answer questions about defeated Brazilian presidential hopeful Flávio Bolsonaro, who fled his homeland for the United States after losing Sunday’s election.

Bolsonaro, it has since been revealed, left Brazil via Argentina with the help of Argentina’s President Javier Milei, US President Donald Trump and a visa issued by the US State Department. Earlier in the day, Bolsonaro had landed in Miami, Florida, Lamelas’ former home before Trump sent him to Buenos Aires. 

However, the ambassador remained silent on the subject, limiting his comments to the rodeo.

The event brought together prominent figures from the business, political and diplomatic worlds, as well as embassy staff and US citizens living in Argentina. Notable attendees included businessmen Eduardo Elsztain and José Luis Manzano, La Libertad Avanza lawmakers Lilia Lemoine, Juliana Santillán and Santiago Santurio and construction industry leader Gustavo Weiss, alongside ambassadors and other guests.

The celebration was one of the largest in a series of activities organised nationwide by the US Embassy to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Held in La Rural’s arena for livestock and equestrian events, the rodeo featured performances by American and Argentine riders. Food trucks and corporate pavilions displaying vehicles from car manufacturers were set up around the venue, while guests were encouraged to dress in jeans and cowboy hats.

In his speech, Lamelas, wearing an outfit displaying the colours of the US flag, drew parallels between the American rodeo tradition and the horsemanship of Argentina’s gauchos. Praising both nations as lovers of “liberty,” he then handed the stage over to the stars of the show.

Among them was 15-year-old professional trick rider Liberty Cunningham, who left onlookers holding their breath with her acrobatics on horseback. After her performance, the young rider was surrounded by new young fans inspired by her skills.