Mauricio Macri: "How is it that we have decorated Nicolás Maduro, who has not respected human rights for a while?"

In his speech to Congress, President Mauricio Macri stressed that foreign policy was one of the main achievements of his administration. "We are integrating ourselves into the world in a pragmatic and intelligent way, "he said, recalling that in 2015 the axis of diplomacy was" the alliance with Venezuela and the pact with the 39, Iran "..

"How is it possible that we have decorated Maduro while he has not respected democracy, human rights and freedoms for some time? How can that be? "said in front of widespread applause from his cabinet and pro-government legislators, in a message that was directly aimed at the affinity that Kirchnerism had with the Bolivarian regime.

In May 2013, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner awarded Nicolás Maduro the Grand Collar of the Order of the Liberator San Martín., the highest honor accorded to Argentina to foreign representatives who deserve a high degree of honor and recognition. In August 2017, the Macri government removed the distinction of the Venezuelan dictator.

Macri emphasized in his speech to Parliament the new role of Argentine diplomacy: "Today, we find a positive role in the region and on the world stage.. This includes working with the Lima group to condemn the human rights violations in Venezuela and the recognition of the president in charge, Juan Guaidó. Venezuela is going through a profound political, economic, humanitarian and health crisis that will only be solved by more democracy. "

The government of Macri was one of the promoters of the regional bloc that ignored Nicolás Maduro on January 10th., when the Chavista took a second presidential term in Venezuela after a fraudulent election. Accompanied by the United States and the European Union, he has also recognized Juan Guaidó as Acting President of the Caribbean Country.

In addition, at the last Lima group summit in Bogotá, Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie invited Venezuela's opposition to visit Argentina.

In his speech, Macri also pointed to Argentina's diplomatic shift in the Middle East: "In 2015, impunity was also negotiated with the Iranian regime over open wounds during the most serious terrorist attacks in our history.Fictional enemies were built, calling for a loose nationalism that avoids taking in charge of internal problems ".