Argentina’s Foreign Minister, Gerardo Werthein, has resigned from his position, the presidential office announced on Wednesday, marking the second departure from the post under President Javier Milei’s nearly two-year administration.
The reason for Werthein’s resignation was not immediately disclosed, nor has the government named a successor. Werthein, who previously served as Argentina’s ambassador to the United States, had held the position for almost a year after replacing Diana Mondino, who was dismissed for supporting a U.N. vote to lift the U.S. embargo on Cuba.
Local daily La Nación reported that Werthein had been expected to step down after Sunday’s legislative election but tendered his resignation earlier, on Tuesday night.
The departure comes just days before a crucial legislative vote in which Milei’s libertarian coalition is seeking to expand its minority representation in Congress to bolster his economic reform agenda, which includes deep spending cuts and austerity measures.
Werthein’s exit adds to growing challenges for Milei, whose popularity has slipped amid public discontent over harsh economic policies affecting pensioners and the disabled, as well as a recent corruption scandal.
The president has hinted at a possible cabinet reshuffle after the elections, as Argentina’s financial outlook remains under scrutiny. The U.S. Treasury recently confirmed a $20 billion currency swap line with Argentina and is reportedly working on another $20 billion facility with banks and investment funds.
