Overview

• President Trump nominated Peter Lamelas, a Cuban-born physician and GOP fundraiser with no diplomatic background, as U.S. ambassador to Argentina, and his Senate confirmation is pending.
• During his confirmation hearing, Lamelas pledged to work with provincial governors to counter Chinese investments he warned could fuel corruption.
• He vowed to support President Milei in upcoming elections and pursue justice against Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, prompting criticism of foreign interference.
• Opposition blocs and several provincial governors have proposed congressional measures to reject his plácet and declare him persona non grata.
• The Chinese Embassy condemned his anti-China statements as Cold War-style bias, and analysts say the controversy threatens Argentina's U.S.–China balance.