From Washington, DC
The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Sergio Massa, leaves Washington with the impression that in the United States there is “good will” for a new relationship with Latin America and Argentina. That was the balance he shared yesterday in a talk organized by the Inter-American Dialogue, one of the think tanks in the US capital that usually invite figures from Argentine politics. “We still have obstacles to solve and solve, but I have no doubts that there are concrete gestures of good will,” he said.
In the virtual event, Massa spoke of the feeling that remained after his almost four days in Washington. An impression that emphasizes the “enormous opportunity” that the role of President Alberto Fernández can have in the region. The Argentine official pointed out that the pandemic forced the Government to redefine priorities and focus on the fight against the coronavirus, economic recovery and “building a stronger democracy.” Along the same lines, he assured that he sees “a path of opportunity” to “channel the relationship” with the International Monetary Fund in a logic that allows the country to work on growth in its economy and arrive at a program that reflects “a commitment possible ”and not“ a canning that is defined far from Argentina and is not feasible ”. In addition, he highlighted the “harmonizing leadership” of Fernández in the ruling coalition.
However, the group of attendees at the talk seemed to be interested in other issues: the role of Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and La Cámpora within the Frente de Todos, the alleged lack of investor confidence in Argentina and even a possible candidacy for the presidential elections of 2023. “I learned to try to do well what I have to do at the moment and not think so much about tomorrow,” Massa answered about his electoral future.
As the head of Deputies’ trip coincided with Argentina’s abstention in the OAS vote on Nicaragua, Massa was also consulted on this issue. “Personally, I repudiate and condemn the arrests and it is important that the region commit itself to the release (of political prisoners),” said Massa. “It is important that people understand that institutions are the ones that set policies,” he added later. He also assured that Argentina and Mexico, another of the countries that abstained, “will work together with the rest in the search for the freedom of political prisoners and the transparency of the democratic process” in the Central American nation.
On Tuesday, in a meeting with members of the Caucus of Latino and Jewish Congressmen, he was also complained about our country’s support at the UN for the resolution to open an investigation for human rights violations in the conflict in Gaza. According to sources with knowledge of the conversation, Massa preferred to highlight that the Argentine president’s first trip abroad was to Israel.
As a last activity in Washington, the lower house president’s agenda included a reception at the Argentine embassy with representatives of think tanks, the government and the US Congress. The official program continues through Friday in New York, with meetings with the Council of the Americas, former President Bill Clinton and investors.
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