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Rice Snubs Argentina in Trip South

Relations grow icier as Kirchner drifts toward Chavez

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 13, 2008 2:19 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Condoleezza Rice has embarked on a visit to Brazil and Chile, but the secretary of State won’t be stopping in neighboring Argentina, a sign of ever-frostier relations. “The United States is clearly snubbing Argentina,” one expert tells the New York Times. New Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has worsened already-sour relations by strengthening ties with Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.

The US is investigating an alleged $800,000 secret campaign donation from Chavez to Kirchner. Kirchner says the investigation is politically motivated, but Venezuela has meanwhile pledged to pump 10 million barrels of oil into Argentina. Anti-American sentiment has been high in Argentina since 2001, when the country defaulted on billions in debt to the US-controlled International Monetary Fund, prompting an economic crisis.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez gives to Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner a replica of the Simon Bolivar sword during a meeting at the governmental palace in Buenos Aires.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez gives to Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner a replica of the Simon Bolivar sword during a meeting at the governmental palace in Buenos Aires.   (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office)
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, right, greets Colombian Minister of Defense Juan Manuel Santos, at the State Department, Wednesday, March 12, 2008, in Washington.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, right, greets Colombian Minister of Defense Juan Manuel Santos, at the State Department, Wednesday, March 12, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo)
Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner gestures during an event at the government house in Buenos Aires, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008.
Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner gestures during an event at the government house in Buenos Aires, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
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Venezuelan pleads guilty in secret cash delivery
New York Times

Brazil won't share energy with Argentina
International Herald Tribune

Kirchner forms 'food and energy axis' with Venezuela
Mecropress (Uruguay)

 
oil • Latin America • Venezuela • Condoleezza Rice • Brazil • Chile • Argentina • South America • Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner • Hugo Chávez

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