Peter Lamelas will seek to stop the Chinese presence in the provinces endowed with valuable natural resources.

On Wednesday, governors from several Argentine provinces denounced as “interventionist” and a “violation of international law” the remarks made by Peter Lamelas, the ambassador-designate to Argentina nominated by U.S. President Donald Trump.

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During a confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, Lamelas said he would support Argentine President Javier Milei’s administration ahead of the October legislative elections in order to end corruption, curb Chinese influence in Argentine provinces, and ensure that former President Cristina Fernandez “gets the justice she deserves.”

Sources at the U.S. Embassy in Argentina clarified that Lamelas is not yet in office, as he must first be confirmed by the U.S. Senate and, once confirmed, he must present his diplomatic credentials in Argentina. However, U.S. officials did not comment on his statements.

Using their social media accounts on X, governors Axel Kicillof (Buenos Aires Province), Ricardo Quintela (La Rioja), and Gustavo Melella (Tierra del Fuego) strongly criticized Lamelas.

“Lamelas, go home! We repudiate the statements made before the U.S. Congress by Trump’s nominee for ambassador to Argentina. They are intolerable. A diplomatic envoy cannot behave like a tutor overseeing the sovereign policies of the host country,” Kicillof wrote.

“This is a violation of international law and an affront to our national dignity. Lamelas’ remarks evoke the darkest periods of U.S. interference in the democratic life of our region. These comments are not just an isolated outburst.”

“It seems Washington has decided to revive the obsolete Monroe Doctrine: imposing extortionist tariffs on Brazil, questioning the sovereignty of the Panama Canal, and trying to meddle in judicial processes beyond its jurisdiction. It even dares to opine—perhaps it’s not opinion but pressure?—on the absurd conviction imposed on Cristina Fernandez. It’s obvious that ruling was originally written in English,” the Buenos Aires Province governor said.

“But what’s even more painful and alarming is the humiliating submission of Javier Milei’s administration to these neocolonial practices. I heard Lamelas wants to meet with governors. Let me tell him in advance: don’t bother coming to La Plata—no one will receive you here.”

“The only upside to Lamelas’ obscene comments is that they help explain some of Milei’s behavior. Besides dancing at Donald Trump’s lavish parties, Milei constantly attacks governors, defunds the provinces, disrespects federalism, and has even threatened to intervene in Buenos Aires Province. That’s no coincidence,” Kicillof said.

The text reads, “Recently, the Argentine press reported that the Milei Administration signed a MoU with the United States offering U.S. companies access to confidential information about lithium deposits in Argentina through the ‘Alliance for the Safety of Critical Minerals’.”

“Given this level of surrender and threat, the September and October elections are not just ordinary legislative elections. We must join forces to defend the Constitution, federalism, and national sovereignty. Mr. Lamelas: focus on your own country’s many problems and stay out of Argentina’s sovereignty,” he concluded.

For his part, Patagonian governor Gustavo Melella posted a thread on X, stating: “In Tierra del Fuego, we do not let anyone discipline us—we decide autonomously… It is unacceptable for a diplomatic official to take a stance that borders on interventionism and disregards our province’s sovereignty.”

“We do not accept external pressure or conditions. Lamelas, stay in your country to resolve your corruption problems. Stop being a partner of the British usurpers,” Melella concluded.

Ricardo Quintela, governor of the Andean province of La Rioja, posted on X: “It is unacceptable for a foreign ambassador to try to meddle in the internal affairs of a country in which he is merely a temporary visitor.”

“We understand that, like the president and his entourage, he is ignorant of the National Constitution and the autonomy it grants to each province, including the ability to establish diplomatic or commercial relations with any country that is necessary and beneficial for its people.”

“Neither in La Rioja nor anywhere else on Argentine soil will we allow a foreigner—whether from the United States or anywhere else—to decide our future or that of our resources,” Quintela concluded.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – X

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