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Venezuela was the top of the agenda for U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and Argentine President Mauricio Macri as they met in Buenos Aires, with Pence warning that "diplomatic and economic pressure on the Maduro regime must be increased" in order to restore democracy by "peaceful means."
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At a joint press conference Pence said, "We have to support the Venezuelan people in their struggle for freedom." Macri, however, joined an almost unanimous chorus of Latin American leaders in rejecting President Donald Trump's suggestion that a military option might be considered against the Venezuelan government: "In Mercosur, we don't see as an alternative the use of force for a solution to the conflict in Venezuela."
The Argentine president did say there was a unanimity in the continent, with the leadership of the United States, on helping to restore democracy in Venezuela.
Pence returned to the theme later in the day, on a visit to the Stock Exchange in Buenos Aires. He said the United States is seeking "a peaceful solution" in Venezuela, but is open to "many alternatives." He said President Trump is urging his neighbors in Latin America "to do more."
Donald Trump's vice president was fulsome in his praise of President Macri's economic policies, when he spoke to Argentinean businessmen at the exchange. "President Macri has brought daring reforms that have restored Argentina's reputation in the world," he told them. "But the good news," he added, "is that there are similar efforts in the rest of Latin America."
Since coming to office in 2015, the Macri government has promoted neoliberal austerity measures that have included cuts to public education, health care, and infrastructure programs, among others.
In March, the Catholic University of Argentina released a study revealing that Macri’s administration has pushed 1.5 million people into poverty. Argentina also faced inflation in excess of 40 percent in 2016.
“Argentina in many ways is an inspiration, across this hemisphere and across the wider world, and I’m here to tell you on behalf of President (Donald) Trump, the United States is with you,” Pence said.
Pence arrived Monday night at El Palomar air base in Buenos Aires with his wife Karen and a group of businessmen.
As part of his two-day trip, he will also meet Argentine Vice President Gabriela Michetti at the Casa Rosada presidential palace and will deliver a speech at the Chamber of Commerce in Buenos Aires.
After his visit to Argentina, Pence will travel to Chile to meet President Michelle Bachelet and then to Panama to meet President Juan Carlos Varela. He began his tour in Colombia, where he met with President Juan Manuel Santos and threatened Venezuela’s democratically-elected government.
During his encounter with Santos, he reiterated that the United States would "bring the full measure of American economic and diplomatic power to bear" to see "democracy restored" in Venezuela. His remarks came days after U.S. President Donald Trump said he wouldn't rule out a “military option” for the country.
Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Panama all opposed the National Constituent Assembly in Venezuela, which was elected by over eight million people, to solve the country’s political and economic situation.
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