Argentine President Javier Milei expressed his gratitude to Brazil on Thursday for assuming custody of Argentina’s embassy in Venezuela. This action followed the Venezuelan government’s order for Argentine diplomatic staff to leave after Buenos Aires publicly questioned the legitimacy of Nicolas Maduro’s reelection. Argentina was among seven Latin American countries whose diplomats were asked to depart Venezuela, a collective response to their joint statement demanding a thorough review of the election results.
Six Venezuelan opposition figures currently seeking asylum are under the protection of the Argentine embassy, although Milei’s statement did not address their fate. The Argentine Foreign Minister, Diana Mondino, urged international collaboration in diplomatic efforts and the protection of asylum seekers during an emergency meeting of the OAS in Washington.
While acknowledging the strong diplomatic ties with Brazil, Milei expressed confidence in a future reopening of the Argentine embassy in a free and democratic Venezuela. Several nations, including Brazil, the United States, and the European Union, have demanded detailed voting data from Venezuela, with the White House issuing a warning on Wednesday that the international community’s patience is wearing thin.