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ARGENTINA | 19-07-2019 15:56

US deepens relationship with Argentina, announces two new security agreements

"Our partnership is here to stay," declares US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, as he unveils new accords with Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie announced two new bilateral alliances between their two nations on Friday, deepening Washington’s ties in Argentina and Latin America. 

Speaking at the Palacio San Martín, the United States' highest diplomat announced a new US-Argentina Strategic Partnership Dialogue, saying the agreement would “expand our cooperation in areas of security, human rights, democracy and economic development” but gave no further details. 

“The United States is back and our partnership is here to stay,” Pompeo declared. 

Later joined by Paraguay’s Foreign Minister Luis Alberto Castiglioni and Brazil Deputy Foreign Minister Otavio Brandelli during a press conference, Pompeo and Faurie also unveiled a new multilateral alliance between the four countries to combat illicit financing and “create a mechanism of regional security.” 

“The agreement would include ‘political and diplomatic coordination of the efforts in the fight against illicit activity in the region and its possible ties with international crime and the financing of terrorist activity in particular,” said the Argentine official, speaking after the Second Hemispheric Ministerial Conference on the Fight Against Terrorism.

Pompeo also commended the government of President Mauricio Macri for joining the United States for backing its geopolitical goals around the world, particularly its ongoing efforts against Hezbollah, Iran and the socialist government’s of Latin America. 

Earlier in the day, Pompeo had announced a US$7-million reward for information leading the capture of Hezbollah operative Salman Raouf Salman, who he described as the alleged mastermind behind the bombing of the AMIA Jewish community centre in 1994, Argentina’s worst-ever terrorist attack. The development comes just a day after the attack’s 25th anniversary, as well as the creation of a new government registry of terror groups, which includes Hezbollah. 

Regionally, Pompeo lauded the government’s actions against what Washington have called the “Troika of Tyranny,” comprised of the governments of Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. 

“Even as it works to solve its economic challenges at home, Argentina has revitalised its role on the global stage,” Pompeo said. “The US wants to be a resource and a friend in this revitalzation.” 
 

Lucas Robinson

Lucas Robinson

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