Argentina’s UN Vote Against Gender Violence Sparks Backlash

Argentina’s UN Vote Against Gender Violence Sparks Backlash \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Argentina, led by President Javier Milei, shocked the world by voting against a United Nations resolution condemning violence against women and girls. This move highlights the country’s sharp rightward shift in foreign policy and domestic governance. Milei’s alignment with far-right ideologies has drawn criticism from global leaders and domestic opposition, marking a stark break from Argentina’s progressive history.

Argentina’s UN Vote and Milei’s Policies: Quick Looks

• Unexpected Opposition: Argentina became the only country to oppose a UN resolution against gender violence, distancing itself even from nations that abstained, such as Russia and Iran.
• Milei’s Rightward Shift: The decision aligns with President Milei’s far-right stance, emphasizing cultural battles over traditional diplomacy.
• Domestic Discontent: Across Argentina’s political spectrum, leaders condemned the vote as regressive and harmful to the country’s global reputation.
• Trump Connection: Milei continues to align with former U.S. President Donald Trump, forging ideological and personal ties through meetings and public support.
• Purging Diplomats: Milei’s dismissal of diplomats critical of his policies reflects his aggressive reshaping of Argentina’s foreign relations.
• Cultural War at Home: Domestically, Milei has dismantled institutions supporting gender equality, environmental policy, and anti-discrimination.

Deep Look

Argentina, long seen as a socially progressive leader in Latin America, shocked the world on Thursday when it became the only nation to vote against a United Nations resolution condemning violence against women and girls. While authoritarian countries like Iran, North Korea, and Russia abstained, Argentina’s outright opposition—led by President Javier Milei—was a move few anticipated.

The nonbinding resolution, drafted by France and the Netherlands, sought global consensus to combat gender-based violence. Argentina’s unexpected stance not only set it apart on the international stage but also unleashed a torrent of criticism domestically, exposing deep rifts in the country’s political landscape.

A Radical Shift in Foreign Policy

President Milei, who has quickly risen to prominence as a far-right libertarian leader, has used his first year in office to dismantle decades of Argentine foreign policy. Traditionally aligned with the Global South and committed to progressive causes, Argentina under Milei now appears to be charting a course that aligns more closely with nationalist and far-right ideologies.

“Milei’s foreign policy marks a significant departure from Argentina’s historical approach,” said Richard Sanders, a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. “It’s a sharp break with efforts to position the country as an integrated part of the Global South.”

This shift has drawn comparisons to former U.S. President Donald Trump, who remains a close ally and ideological inspiration for Milei. From meeting Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate to mimicking Trump’s combative stance against multilateral organizations like the UN, Milei has embraced a confrontational style of governance.

Global and Domestic Repercussions

The UN vote has ignited outrage across Argentina’s political spectrum. Senator Martín Lousteau of the centrist Unión Cívica Radical party called the decision “a disgrace,” arguing that it isolates Argentina on the global stage. Meanwhile, former President Mauricio Macri’s conservative party, an ally of Milei, denounced the vote on social media, describing Argentina’s stance as being “against the rest of humanity.”

Despite the widespread condemnation, Milei’s administration defended the decision. Guillermo Francos, a top official, dismissed the resolution as ineffective, claiming that “neither commitments nor treaties will solve the issue of gender violence.”

Critics argue that Milei’s actions are emblematic of a broader cultural battle aimed at dismantling progressive norms. Since taking office, Milei has eliminated Argentina’s women’s ministry and environment ministry, scrapped the national anti-discrimination institute, and dismissed policies supporting gender equality.

A President in Trump’s Shadow

Milei’s alignment with Donald Trump extends beyond shared ideological ground. In recent weeks, Milei has sought to position himself as a far-right icon on the international stage, meeting with Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk at Mar-a-Lago. Photos from the meeting, widely circulated by the Argentine presidency, showed Milei smiling alongside Trump and Musk—a visual encapsulation of his anti-“woke” stance.

These meetings underscore Milei’s strategy to leverage his relationship with Trump to secure economic benefits for Argentina. The country owes over $44 billion to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the U.S., as the IMF’s largest shareholder, could play a pivotal role in renegotiating the debt.

Purging Diplomats and Policy Isolation

Milei’s radical shift in foreign policy has come at a steep cost. In late October, Argentina voted in favor of a UN resolution calling for the end of the U.S. embargo on Cuba—a stance that led to the dismissal of Foreign Minister Diana Mondino. Milei labeled the decision an “unforgivable mistake” and replaced Mondino with Gerardo Werthein, a businessman with ties to the U.S.

This incident is part of a broader purge within Argentina’s foreign ministry. At least seven diplomats have reportedly resigned or been dismissed in recent weeks, as Milei pushes to reshape the ministry in line with his hardline ideology. His administration has rejected multilateral agreements, including the UN’s “Pact for the Future,” which promotes climate action and gender equality.

Cultural Battles at Home and Abroad

Milei’s policies have also drawn criticism from Argentina’s left-leaning Peronist movement, which has dominated the country’s politics for decades. Peronist lawmakers accuse Milei of unraveling hard-won social gains, such as the legalization of abortion in 2020 and efforts to curb fossil fuel emissions.

“For you, freedom is violence,” said Mayra Mendoza, a prominent Peronist politician, addressing Milei in a fiery speech. Critics argue that his libertarian ideals are being used to justify policies that undermine human rights and environmental protections.

Milei, however, remains unapologetic. He has dismissed climate change as a “socialist lie,” called abortion “murder,” and criticized the UN as a “leviathan with multiple tentacles” that restricts national sovereignty.

Argentina’s Future on the Global Stage

As Milei continues to embrace his far-right agenda, Argentina faces mounting challenges. Domestically, his policies have deepened political divisions and alienated key sectors of society. Internationally, his confrontational approach risks isolating Argentina at a time when global cooperation is increasingly vital.

While Milei’s supporters argue that his presidency represents a necessary disruption of the status quo, critics warn that his policies could leave Argentina more isolated and vulnerable than ever. With his economic and cultural battles raging on, the full impact of Milei’s leadership remains to be seen.

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