Above Photo: Macri and Obama shown engaged in a warm handshake during the U.S. president’s visit to Argentina. | Photo: EFE
Argentine President Mauricio Macri nominated Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra as a candidate to become Secretary-General of the United Nations, Friday. In keeping with Macri’s foreign and domestic appointments, Malcorra has a long history of working with the United States government to further their interests.
Malcorra served as the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Field Support from 2008 until 2012. During this time, she worked very closely with then U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice.
A trove of Wikileaks’ diplomatic cables show that Malcorra often met with Rice and other representatives of the U.S. diplomatic core. The Argentine stateswoman would make sure that U.S. recommendations for appointments throughout the U.N. were given top priority.
Santiago O’Donnell, a journalist and writer who published the books Argen leaks and Politileaks which analyse the cables in relation to Argentina’s foreign and domestic policies, said Malcorra “did everything possible to make the North Americans happy during her time at the U.N.” in an interview with Argentina’s National Radio.
The U.N. formally kicked off the race for the next secretary-general in December and the world body’s 193 members were encouraged to put forward a woman for the top job. A man has held the position since its inception 70 years ago.
Malcorra, 61, has only served in Macri’s government since the right-wing businessman took office in December.
In just five months, Macri has changed the direction of Argentina in substantial ways. Under the administration of former President Cristina Kirchner, Argentina was a nation that resisted U.S. influence and tried to approach the problems of South America without considering the interests of the hegemon to the north.
In contrast, Macri has embraced neo-liberal economic policies and military cooperation with the administration of U.S. President Obama, who visited Argentina in early 2016 and received a warm welcome by the new Argentine administration.