Medellin, Colombia – Nearly a week after the United States and Israel launched a coordinated attack on Iran, sparking conflict in the Middle East, many countries around the world called for peace and diplomacy.
In Latin America, which has traditionally been a neutral party in these international conflicts, almost all countries have remained quiet or publicly condemned the attacks on Iran.
But one country in the region stands out as an exception: a country that supports joint U.S.-Israeli attacks. This is Argentina.
“The Office of the President congratulates today’s joint operation between the United States and Israel to eliminate Ali Khamenei, supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and one of the most evil, violent and cruel figures in human history,” the Argentine government said in a statement Saturday.
With this statement, Argentina joins Canada as one of the few countries in the world to publicly support attacks on Iran.
This also sets it apart from the rest of Latin America. The Venezuelan government lamented that the United States and Israel “chose the military route.” Colombian President Gustavo Petro insisted that Washington “made a mistake.” Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged the United States to refrain from using force and seek a diplomatic solution.
Solid alliance with Trump
Argentine President Javier Millay, a political outsider and self-described “libertarian liberal,” has become known for his unconventional style since taking office in 2023. He has often been compared to US President Donald Trump, with whom he has developed a close relationship over the past year.
Unlike the previous administration led by Peronist Alberto Fernández, which moved closer to China and Russia, Mailay’s first two years in office were characterized by a deep rapprochement with the United States on international policy, especially after Trump’s victory in the 2024 election.
Mailay’s Argentina has purchased F-16 jets and other military supplies from the United States, recently signed a $130 billion minerals deal and aligned much of its economic policy with the United States.
Miley’s support for the White House has been mutual, with President Trump agreeing to a $20 billion loan in September to keep Argentina’s economy afloat.
Buenos Aires’ support for U.S. actions in Iran may not seem surprising given their close alliance, but it seems especially striking given the contrasting positions of other Latin American leaders. Nayib Bukele, El Salvador’s president and close Trump ally, has remained silent about the war in the Middle East.
Likewise, far-right Ecuadorian leader Daniel Noboa has expressed concern about the conflict and condemned Iranian retaliation, but did not support U.S. and Israeli attacks. Honduras’ Nasry Asfura, who received Trump’s support in last year’s election, reaffirmed his commitment to peace.
Miley’s next move
Going forward, the Argentine government has decided to strengthen national security guardrails that protect “all sensitive objects in the country, as well as critical infrastructure and the Jewish community.” Argentina has the largest Jewish population in Latin America and is particularly sensitive to the risk of terrorist attacks after an Iran-linked 1994 bombing of a Jewish center killed 85 people.
The government also aims to strengthen intelligence surveillance, restrict migration and communications between countries it sees as threats, including Argentina and Iran, and work with international agencies to detect future threats.
Millay’s government also claims that it has engaged the Secretariat of Intelligence, the Ministry of Security and federal security forces to establish stricter border control protocols, monitor cross-border movements and review early warnings in sensitive areas.
At the same time, Argentina’s Foreign Ministry advised Middle Eastern citizens to take extreme precautions. The Argentine Embassy in Saudi Arabia advised its citizens to increase personal security measures, and its diplomat in Iran was reassigned to Azerbaijan. The Argentine Consulate in Israel asked people to follow instructions from Israel’s mainland command and identify nearby shelters in case of a possible attack.
President Javier Millay. Image credit: Javier Milei on Instagram.
